A Revised Definition of Games: An Analysis of Grasshopper Errors, Omissions, and Ambiguities

Sport, Ethics and Philosophy 13 (3-4):277-292 (2019)
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Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this essay, I review Suits’ classic description of games and cite three kinds of problems—mischaracterizations, omissions, and ambiguities. I build on previous criticisms by myself and others leveled at his definition. However, in contrast to much of this previous work, I will present what I hope is an improved description. The latter part of the essay is devoted to defending this alternate characterization. I conclude by arguing that my revisionist work paradoxically both supports and undermines the merits of Suits’ anti-Wittgensteinian efforts to identify the necessary and sufficient conditions for games.

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Citations of this work

What Is Sport? A Response to Jim Parry.Lukáš Mareš & Daniel D. Novotný - 2022 - Sport, Ethics and Philosophy 17 (1):34-48.
Too Much Playing Games – A Response to Kretchmar.Alex Wolf-Root - 2020 - Sport, Ethics and Philosophy 14 (2):264-268.

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References found in this work

The Language Animal: The Full Shape of the Human Linguistic Capacity.Charles Taylor - 2016 - Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.
The Ethos of Games.Fred D'Agostino - 1981 - Journal of the Philosophy of Sport 8 (1):7-18.
Words On Play.Bernard Suits - 1977 - Journal of the Philosophy of Sport 4 (1):117-131.
Bernard Suits on capacities: games, perfectionism, and Utopia.Christopher C. Yorke - 2018 - Journal of the Philosophy of Sport 45 (2):177-188.

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