Finite and Infinite Games
by James Carse

  • Philosophy
  • Ashto = 6/10
  • Jonesy = 8/10
Finite and Infinite Games

Finite and Infinite Games – by James P Carse

This book starts with some general definitions of the economic theory of finite and infinite games. Things like finite games having defined rules and players, precise start times, and the way to which a game ends and a winner is declared. Contract that with the infinite games that are constantly evolving so that they never end.

Honestly, by itself, the theory and definitions of game theory aren’t that interesting. But James Carse takes these ideas and applied them to all different areas of life, from the ownership of property to professional life, to nature, technology, and even sexuality.

Enjoy.

 

 

Finite and Infinite Games Summary

There are two types of games. 

Finite games have a definitive ending with temporal boundaries. All players in a finite game must agree on these boundaries. In this type of game there is one winner – not everyone can be a corporate president, although those who compete for that prize may end up being presidents or district managers. Finite games can be played within an infinite game, but an infinite game cannot be played within a finite games. 

Infinite games are less obvious and more complex, they have ever changing sets of rules and different players. The goal of the infinite game is to just keep on playing forever, rather than stopping and declaring the winner. Where finite games are externally defined, infinite games are internally defined. Infinite players regard their wins and losses in whatever finite games they play as but moments in continuing play.

Boundaries: Finite players play within boundaries, infinite players play with boundaries. Finite players are unaware of the absolute freedom and will come to think whatever they do, they must do. Finite players must be selected. No one is forced to remain a lawyer or engineer or rodeo performer after being selected for those roles. Finite players have the actual freedom to step off the field of play at any time – but they hide from this freedom.   

Vulnerability:  Finite players must appear to be something other than what they are to be best in the game. Everything about their appearance must be concealing – all of their moves must be deceptive, distractions and misdirection’s. Because infinite players prepare themselves to be surprised by the future, they play in complete openness and are not attached to any particular outcome. Being open and vulnerable, one’s identity is exposed to ceaseless growth, unleashing the dynamic self that is yet to be. 

Title: What one wins in a finite game is a title. The effectiveness of a title depends on its visibility to others. When a person is known by title, the attention is on a completed past, on a game already concluded. A title effectively takes a person out of play.   

Power: Power is a concept that belongs only in finite play – how much resistance can you use to beat others.  If we defer power to titled winners, it is only because we regard ourselves as losers. 

Time: A finite game does not have its own time, it exists in a worlds time. Early in a game time seems abundant, and there appears a greater freedom to develop future strategies. But late in a game, time is being rapidly consumed and errors become more disastrous. We look back on our youth as times of our lives as there was infinite possibilities. For the finite player, freedom is a function of time (as we get older we lose freedom). Time does not pass for an infinite player, each moment of time is a new beginning. An infinite player does not work for the purpose of filling time with work, but of filling work with time

 

 

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