Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility by James P. Carse
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Book Reviews of Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility
Book Review: A good book for some...
Summary: 1 Stars
...but not for me. His definitions and classifications are on their face thought-provoking, but ultimately too abstract and contradictory to be of any value to me. The establishment by examples of his game theory in the first section in my eyes seemed most unfortunate. He would've been much better off, in my opinion, approaching the subject from the idea of "play" rather than "game". It seems that using the term "game" at all put the whole reading in a concrete, finite position, and when we can only identify the infinite through its actions in the finite, of what real value is the infinite?But then again, maybe this was all by design. The interplay of abstraction and contradiction has been what's made the best religious/spiritual writings what they are. I personally no longer find any spiritual sanctity in this kind of willful complication of thought, hence where his writing and my reading may part ways.
Worth reading? Sure. What book isn't? But if you have any particular taste for logic and rationality at all, as God asked Noah(via Bill Cosby), "How long can you tread water?"
Book Review: New Age Nonsense
Summary: 1 Stars
Having an interest in Game Theory, and also seeing the praise this book has received from reviewers, not least on this site, I opened this book with high hopes. Imagine my disappointment, therefore, on discovering that it is pure New Age-type drivel with a pseudo-philosophical style. Imagine my further disappointment on discovering that the book is a Trojan horse for encouraging spirituality or religious beliefs, specifically Christianity, although the author pretends to deny this.Don't be fooled by the references to Wittgenstein et al, this is altogether a mendacious piece of tripe which will appeal only to the feeble-minded.
Book Review: Get a Life!
Summary: 1 Stars
The entire content of this book could be summarized in a single boring paragraph. Furthermore, it's mostly wrong. The author is attempting to teach something that cannot be learned from a book, and which he himself obviously has not yet learned.P.S. This book is an "amateur philosophy" book, and has nothing to do with mathematics.
Book Review: Skip this one
Summary: 1 Stars
This is basic philosophy wrapped in a poor metaphor. To sum the book, there are things that we must cast off as trivial and there are things that transcend our immediate concerns. Pay attention to the larger concerns and forget the "small stuff." Read Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius instead if you wish to explore your own place in life.Book Review: What is this?
Summary: 1 Stars
It must be me...but this book is absolutely senseless. It does not say ANYTHING that I don't already know..and whatever little it does convey, it does so again and again and again....and again! Boring!