Why Do We Game?

A Philosophical Gamut

- Bayard Catron

Human beings have been playing games for close to 5,000 years. Games are a universal part of the human experience and exist in all cultures. But why are we so drawn to them, and precisely what is a game? Let’s look at the relationship between games and philosophy, and how philosophers through the ages have defined the nature of games and explained their purpose in the human endeavor.

Finite & Infinite Gaming

Philosophy and games are both means of exploring the nature of something. Socrates used a highly interactive method of questions and debate to elicit understanding; today, The Game Thinkshop and the Institute of Play use Socratic Gaming to tease out fundamental philosophical concepts — especially thinking skills — through the playing of games. A game can be both a simulacrum of the real world and a doorway into understanding human interaction. In short: gaming is an art form and a reflection of humanity.

In the social sciences, game theory examines dec is ion-mak ing in scenarios like the Prisoner’s Dilemma, balancing strategies of cooperation versus self-interest. Likewise, in Finite and Infinite Games (1986) James Carse explains a philosophy of life in which all games fit into one of two categories: finite games that are concerned with personal power and winning, and infinite games that are concerned with transcending boundaries and continuing positive play.