Applied philosophy
Game philosophy gives us a new way to go about making the most of our lives.
We just play our life games well.
Illustration · page hero · 3:2
A moving figure in balance and flow
[Subject in one sentence]
Perfection only exists in the imagination. Chasing it is folly. Instead we can try to overcome anything that’s holding us back from being our full selves.
Carl Rogers used the concept of the fully functioning person to “spell out the picture of the person who would emerge if therapy were maximally successful”.1 Game philosophy makes use of a similar concept — that of the fully-functioning player.
We become fully-functioning when eight functions are fulfilled:
Area 1 · 2 functions
In this complex world, there are always vast fields of possibility stretching ahead of us. Some of the possible futures ahead of us are desirable. We’d prefer them to the other possible futures that we sense could come to pass.
The alignment functions set us up to move systematically towards futures that we’ve seen for ourselves to be worth reaching.
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Circles, horizons and the walking line
For us to see what’s genuinely worth aiming for, and to feel its importance, we need to first become clear about what the world is like and what might be possible within it. We can then decide which possibilities are most worth aiming for.
Explore PurposeIllustration · 1:1
Circles, horizons and the walking line
Once we’ve set our hearts on some possible future, we need to work out how best to reach it. We can identify opportunities and foresee hazards. We can plot out paths to follow.
Explore StrategyArea 2 · 2 functions
We are, by nature, social creatures. Everything we do that matters involves networks of people working together, from eating meals to raising capable children.
The social functions help us work with others towards shared goals.
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Two or more figures, or paths that meet
Teams can be more efficient than individuals because people can specialise. They can find roles that they’re good at. Roles that they like. Sadly, lots of groups fail to work together as well as they might.
Explore CooperationIllustration · 1:1
Two or more figures, or paths that meet
Leadership happens when we go beyond simple cooperation and set a direction for everyone to travel in. We’re most effective as leaders when we ensure that a few simple elements are in place.
Explore LeadershipArea 3 · 2 functions
There are always many activities that we would potentially engage in.
The orientation functions help us select activities that are enjoyable, productive, or both.
Illustration · 1:1
Stones and paths: arranging, orienting
We all have routines and habits that help us work out what to do when. But our routines often become fixed, while new routines might work better.
Explore OrganisingIllustration · 1:1
Stones and paths: arranging, orienting
Every time our immediate environment changes, we can reset our intentions to keep them in line with our overall sense of purpose. But this always takes fresh insight.
Explore AimingArea 4 · 2 functions
Performing at our best feels great. It’s liberating. It’s fun. And as a side-effect, everything gets done quickly and efficiently.
The two performance functions help us act with skill and aplomb.
Illustration · 1:1
The moving figure in balance and flow
In every activity, there are forms of action that consistently prove effective. To perform well in an activity, we must become fluent in the appropriate family of forms.
Explore TechniqueIllustration · 1:1
The moving figure in balance and flow
Most of us could become better at managing our own minds. We could learn to relax more and to keep bringing our attention back where it’s needed.
Explore Mind ManagementCoachwise
Coachwise provides a set of self-coaching tools that can help people play their life games well.