Finite and infinite games

(see the video version of this post here)

Greetings,

I am reading a book titled Finite and Infinite Games, by James P. Carse. To say the least, it is quite interesting. With currently 130 pages left (out of 177), it has already given me a new view of life. Basically, life is a series of 'games' that we play. These games are either finite or infinite.

The core distinction between the two types of games is that a finite game is played with the goal of ending it, whereas an infinite game is played with the intent of continuing it. It is quite abstract, and I have to reread passages often, to make sure I understand it.

The publisher's excerpt reads:

'The rules of the finite game may not change; the rules of an infinite game must change.

Finite players play within boundaries; infinite players play with boundaries.

Finite players are serious; infinite games are playful.

A finite player plays to be powerful; an infinite players plays with strength.

A finite player consumes time; an infinite player generates time.

The finite player aims for eternal life; the infinite player aims for eternal birth.'

In other words, finite players play to win. Because they play to win, they need rules, to balance the game. These rules may not change, otherwise the balance is upset, and whatever actions taken to win might not be advantageous anymore. Their goal is to get from point A to point B before everyone else. They do not want to make point B further away, because their goal is not to make the game last longer, but to win it. Therefore, making the point further away is superfluous. Because a finite player is so concerned with 'winning,' he constantly looks for ways to complete his goal faster. Thus, if something does not further his goal, it is a waste of time. The finite player plays with the intent of surpassing everyone else, of disabling everyone else from reaching the goal. Thus, he plays 'to be powerful.' The ultimate goal of the finite player is to 'not lose.' Death is the final loss, so he seeks to prolong life as much as possible, to live longer than all other people - which is, once again, a victory, a path to power.

Infinite players, however, do not need rules, because their purpose is not to win a contest, but 'to continue the play.' Because of this, they are always extending their possibilities, increasing what they (and others) can do. They play with the purpose of initiating the actions of others (which continues the play). The more they enable others to act, the stronger they are. They do not see anything as a 'waste of time,' because they make time, essentially. They put it into their game, to enable actions. Therefore, it is inherently impossible to waste time. Finally, the infinite player always wants to try new and exciting things, to experience the world as much as possible - to expand her boundaries.

I got to thinking that the reason we have laws in the first place is because finite players exist. Finite players see life as a competition, where they need to get ahead. They will do everything in their power to get ahead, so laws are established to balance the game. If everyone was an infinite player, then laws would not be needed. Because an infinite player plays with strength, to enable others, he would automatically do what is best for civilization. The goal is not to get ahead, but to further the play.

Laws were created to make the goal of the finite players similar to that of the infinite players. Naturally, they still seek to get ahead, but the laws prevent them from doing anything to get ahead that does not 'continue the play.' They are not allowed to kill or steal, because these actions prevent another person from acting; these actions are weak.

So, if we all eventually realized that life is not about getting ahead, then the laws we have now would be unnecessary.

So, I'm curious - how do you look at life as a whole? Do you look at it as finite or infinite?

-Brian West (Apeiros Sophos)