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Finite and Infinite Games

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Finite and Infinite Games

By: James Carse
Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross
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About this listen

 “There are at least two kinds of games,” states James P. Carse as he begins this extraordinary book. “One could be called finite; the other infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.”

Finite games are the familiar contests of everyday life; they are played in order to be won, which is when they end. But infinite games are more mysterious. Their object is not winning, but ensuring the continuation of play. The rules may change, the boundaries may change, even the participants may change—as long as the game is never allowed to come to an end.

What are infinite games? How do they affect the ways we play our finite games? What are we doing when we play—finitely or infinitely? And how can infinite games affect the ways in which we live our lives?

Carse explores these questions with stunning elegance, teasing out of his distinctions a universe of observation and insight, noting where and why and how we play, finitely and infinitely. He surveys our world—from the finite games of the playing field and playing board to the infinite games found in culture and religion—leaving all we think we know illuminated and transformed. Along the way, Carse finds new ways of understanding everything, from how an actress portrays a role to how we engage in sex, from the nature of evil to the nature of science. Finite games, he shows, may offer wealth and status, power and glory, but infinite games offer something far more subtle and far grander.

Carse has written a book rich in insight and aphorism. Already an international literary event, Finite and Infinite Games is certain to be argued about and celebrated for years to come. Reading it is the first step in learning to play the infinite game. Metaphysics Philosophy Society Game Thought-Provoking

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All stars
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Probably a good concept but written so poorly it is impossible to tell. No flow to the story at all or even an introduction. Just a series of points that makes you guess what the book is about

not for audible (or maybe at all)

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I got this because I had listened to the Simon Sinek version and he refreced this in his version. I have to say I agree with other reviews. I am finding it difficult to engage. I restarted the audio x3 time and still found myself drifting. I will keep trying but losing faith. The Simon Sinek version is far more engaging. Shame as I expected so much more

Hard to get in to

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His language can obfuscate his point. He has his own way of speaking. And its not always helpful.

Quite hard to penetrate. His language can obfuscat

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This may be the first book where I won't remember anything. I even like philosophy, but with this book, the author didn't care if anyone would understand it. I don't deny its informational value, but this book should sit in a dark corner of an academic library. There's nothing exciting about it.

Don't be fooled by the sample, it's not an introduction, but a separate chunk of the book. It consists of set of ~100 loosely connected ideas and the sample is the least complex part.

Terribly complicated

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but I found it quite difficult to follow the later chapters and how it links with the core concept

the concept is powerful

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