Divine Games
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Author | : Steven J. Brams |
Publisher | : MIT Press |
Total Pages | : 219 |
Release | : 2024-03-12 |
Genre | : Mathematics |
ISBN | : 0262551454 |
A game-theoretical analysis of interactions between a human being and an omnipotent and omniscient godlike being highlights the inherent unknowability of the latter's superiority. In Divine Games, Steven Brams analyzes games that a human being might play with an omnipotent and omniscient godlike being. Drawing on game theory and his own theory of moves, Brams combines the analysis of thorny theological questions, suggested by Pascal's wager (which considers the rewards and penalties associated with belief or nonbelief in God) and Newcomb's problem (in which a godlike being has near omniscience) with the analysis of several stories from the Hebrew Bible. Almost all of these stories involve conflict between God or a surrogate and a human player; their representation as games raises fundamental questions about God's superiority. In some games God appears vulnerable (after Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit in defiance of His command), in other games his actions seem morally dubious (when He subjects Abraham and Job to extreme tests of their faith), and in still other games He has a propensity to hold grudges (in preventing Moses from entering the Promised Land and in undermining the kingship of Saul). If the behavior of a superior being is indistinguishable from that of an ordinary human being, his existence would appear undecidable, or inherently unknowable. Consequently, Brams argues that keeping an open mind about the existence of a superior being is an appropriate theological stance.
Author | : Steven J. Brams |
Publisher | : MIT Press |
Total Pages | : 220 |
Release | : 2018-09-18 |
Genre | : Mathematics |
ISBN | : 0262347806 |
A game-theoretical analysis of interactions between a human being and an omnipotent and omniscient godlike being highlights the inherent unknowability of the latter's superiority. In Divine Games, Steven Brams analyzes games that a human being might play with an omnipotent and omniscient godlike being. Drawing on game theory and his own theory of moves, Brams combines the analysis of thorny theological questions, suggested by Pascal's wager (which considers the rewards and penalties associated with belief or nonbelief in God) and Newcomb's problem (in which a godlike being has near omniscience) with the analysis of several stories from the Hebrew Bible. Almost all of these stories involve conflict between God or a surrogate and a human player; their representation as games raises fundamental questions about God's superiority. In some games God appears vulnerable (after Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit in defiance of His command), in other games his actions seem morally dubious (when He subjects Abraham and Job to extreme tests of their faith), and in still other games He has a propensity to hold grudges (in preventing Moses from entering the Promised Land and in undermining the kingship of Saul). If the behavior of a superior being is indistinguishable from that of an ordinary human being, his existence would appear undecidable, or inherently unknowable. Consequently, Brams argues that keeping an open mind about the existence of a superior being is an appropriate theological stance.
Author | : Frank G. Bosman |
Publisher | : Routledge |
Total Pages | : 229 |
Release | : 2019-03-04 |
Genre | : Religion |
ISBN | : 0429018681 |
This book formulates a new theological approach to the study of religion in gaming. Video games have become one of the most important cultural artifacts of modern society, both as mediators of cultural, social, and religious values and in terms of commercial success. This has led to a significant increase in the critical analysis of this relatively new medium, but theology as an academic discipline is noticeably behind the other humanities on this subject. The book first covers the fundamentals of cultural theology and video games. It then moves on to set out a Christian systematic theology of gaming, focusing on creational theology, Christology, anthropology, evil, moral theology, and thanatology. Each chapter introduces case studies from video games connected to the specific theme. In contrast to many studies which focus on online multiplayer games, the examples considered are largely single player games with distinct narratives and ‘end of game’ moments. The book concludes by synthesizing these themes into a new theology of video games. This study addresses a significant aspect of contemporary society that has yet to be discussed in any depth by theologians. It is, therefore, a fantastic resource for any scholar engaging with the religious aspects of digital and popular culture.
Author | : Niall G. F. Christie |
Publisher | : Atlas Games |
Total Pages | : 144 |
Release | : 2005-08-01 |
Genre | : |
ISBN | : 9781589780750 |
Author | : Ann Trump |
Publisher | : Schiffer + ORM |
Total Pages | : 182 |
Release | : 2019-04-28 |
Genre | : Self-Help |
ISBN | : 1507301391 |
Imagine you could easily walk away from all your problems. What if you could go outside, take a hike around your neighborhood, and come back knowing exactly what to do? The simple act of walking can take you down the road to self-empowerment. Soul stepping is spiritual walking with purpose and intention and acts as a bridge between your physical body, your mind, and your spirit, leading to spiritual and emotional freedom. The secret is turning the walk into a game. Ten fun-and-easy games will deepen your relationship with your soul, help you connect with nature, improve your daily interactions with others, solve personal problems, sharpen your intuition, and invite synchronicity. Read stories enriching the games and practice suggestions for living a more soulful life. Rhymes and affirmations will allow you to recognize the wonders that occur at games’ end. You are about to embark on a walking soul journey!
Author | : Troy Denning |
Publisher | : Simon and Schuster |
Total Pages | : 384 |
Release | : 2021-10-19 |
Genre | : Fiction |
ISBN | : 1982174919 |
An original novel set in the Halo universe—based on the New York Times bestselling video game series! October 2559. With the galaxy in the suffocating grip of a renegade artificial intelligence, another perilous threat has quietly emerged in the shadows: the Keepers of the One Freedom, a fanatical and merciless Covenant splinter group, has made its way beyond the borders of the galaxy to an ancient Forerunner installation known as the Ark. Led by an infamous Brute named Castor, the Keepers intend to achieve what the Covenant, in all its might, failed to: activate Halo and take the last steps on the path of the Great Journey into transcendence. But unknown to Castor and his new, unexpected ally on the Ark, there are traitors to the cause in their midst—namely the Ferrets, composed of Office of Naval Intelligence operative Veta Lopis and her young team of Spartan-IIIs, who have been infiltrating the Keepers to lay the groundwork for Castor’s assassination. But with ONI’s field operations now splintered and cut off by the Guardian threat, Veta’s original mission has suddenly and dramatically escalated in scope. There’s simply no choice or fallback plan—either the Ferrets somehow stop the Keepers or the galaxy faces an extinction-level event….
Author | : Chris Kullstroem |
Publisher | : McFarland |
Total Pages | : 219 |
Release | : 2009-08-11 |
Genre | : Sports & Recreation |
ISBN | : 0786453818 |
The first of its kind, this book brings together a collection of 15 do-it-yourself parties and games designed to allow monster movie fanatics to step inside some of their favorite horror, science fiction, and dark comedy films. Each game is themed after a specific monster film from the classics to those of modern day. With card games, murder mysteries, haunted house games, and detective quests included, there is enough variety to suit any monstrous mood. Each game can be played by all ages with supplies ranging from simple index cards to fake blood and body parts. The book includes full instructions for making each game, along with rule pages, game play guides, spell books, lab books, and more.
Author | : Oliver Roeder |
Publisher | : W. W. Norton & Company |
Total Pages | : 326 |
Release | : 2022-01-25 |
Genre | : History |
ISBN | : 1324003782 |
A group biography of seven enduring and beloved games, and the story of why—and how—we play them. Checkers, backgammon, chess, and Go. Poker, Scrabble, and bridge. These seven games, ancient and modern, fascinate millions of people worldwide. In Seven Games, Oliver Roeder charts their origins and historical importance, the delightful arcana of their rules, and the ways their design makes them pleasurable. Roeder introduces thrilling competitors, such as evangelical minister Marion Tinsley, who across forty years lost only three games of checkers; Shusai, the Master, the last Go champion of imperial Japan, defending tradition against “modern rationalism”; and an IBM engineer who created a backgammon program so capable at self-learning that NASA used it on the space shuttle. He delves into the history and lore of each game: backgammon boards in ancient Egypt, the Indian origins of chess, how certain shells from a particular beach in Japan make the finest white Go stones. Beyond the cultural and personal stories, Roeder explores why games, seemingly trivial pastimes, speak so deeply to the human soul. He introduces an early philosopher of games, the aptly named Bernard Suits, and visits an Oxford cosmologist who has perfected a computer that can effectively play bridge, a game as complicated as human language itself. Throughout, Roeder tells the compelling story of how humans, pursuing scientific glory and competitive advantage, have invented AI programs better than any human player, and what that means for the games—and for us. Funny, fascinating, and profound, Seven Games is a story of obsession, psychology, history, and how play makes us human.
Author | : Lorenzo DiTommaso |
Publisher | : Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG |
Total Pages | : 502 |
Release | : 2024-09-02 |
Genre | : Games & Activities |
ISBN | : 3110752808 |
Video games are a global phenomenon, international in their scope and democratic in their appeal. This is the first volume dedicated to the subject of apocalyptic video games. Its two dozen papers engage the subject comprehensively, from game design to player experience, and from the perspectives of content, theme, sound, ludic textures, and social function. The volume offers scholars, students, and general readers a thorough overview of this unique expression of the apocalyptic imagination in popular culture, and novel insights into an important facet of contemporary digital society.
Author | : Apostolos Spanos |
Publisher | : Routledge |
Total Pages | : 200 |
Release | : 2021-06-13 |
Genre | : History |
ISBN | : 1000397394 |
Games of History provides an understanding of how games as artefacts, textual and visual sources on games and gaming as a pastime or a “serious” activity can be used as sources for the study of history. From the vast world of games, the book’s focus is on board and card games, with reference to physical games, sports and digital games as well. Considering culture, society, politics and metaphysics, the author uses examples from various places around the world and from ancient times to the present to demonstrate how games and gaming can offer the historian an alternative, often very valuable and sometimes unique path to the past. The book offers a thorough discussion of conceptual and material approaches to games as sources, while also providing the reader with a theoretical starting point for further study within specific thematic chapters. The book concludes with three case studies of different types of games and how they can be considered as historical sources: the gladiatorial games, chess and the digital game Civilization. Offering an alternative approach to the study of history through its focus on games and gaming as historical sources, this is the ideal volume for students considering different types of sources and how they can be used for historical study, as well as students who study games as primary or secondary sources in their history projects.