Finite and Infinite Games

Common card · No. 318106

Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility is a philosophical treatise by James P. Carse, published in 1986. In it, Carse proposes that all human behavior can be categorized into two types of play. Finite games, such as chess or politics, have defined boundaries, fixed rules, and clear winners, played with the sole purpose of bringing the game to an end. In contrast, infinite games, such as culture, love, and life itself, have evolving rules and open boundaries; they are played for the purpose of continuing play and welcoming new participants. Philosopher David Chalmers has called it a "neglected classic in the philosophy of living".

Read on Wikipedia