Sometimes life seems cut and dry, predictable, and just there to be played out with no surprises. Other times, it seems full of mystery and wonder. How can the "same" world look so different?

James P. Carse speaks to this question in his quotable, occasionally strange, and always fascinating book Finite & Infinite Games. Carse says we can play finite or infinite games, and this choice determines which world we see and live in. Finite players play in boundaries, with familiar options, to end the game by "winning" it. Infinite players play with boundaries, to make sure the game continues!

Finite players, seeking the comfort zone of their closed worlds, train themselves to prepare against surprises. Infinite players open-endedly educate themselves to prepare for surprises. At times, Carse's language sounds almost cute. But he confronts some absolutely bottom line issues having to do with whether or not our culture-or even our species-will survive and whether or not it would be a good idea if it does!

For example, on technology, he eloquently takes a stand similiar to philosophers Barrett and Heidegger by pointing out that "to use the machine for control is to be controlled by the machine. Machines do not, of course, make us into machines . . .; we make ourselves into machines in order to operate them." And in a single line--"those who must play cannot play"--he reminds us of the power and presence of choice.

This is in some ways a maddening book, devoid of definite and final conclusions. But after all, to state conclusions would be acting in a finite game! I find this book haunting and frequently present in my consciousness. Its subtitle says it all: "A vision of life as play and possibility."

Review by John Enright, Ph.D.