Mindcraft: Philosophy and Video Games

What kind of video game player are you? If we can look beyond the tired distinction between casual and hardcore gamers, we can begin to develop a better sense of the different ways to play a game and so a better sense of the different kinds of video games there are. This leads us to the primary objective of the class: to formulate and assess a definition of the word, “game.” The ability to formulate and critique definitions is an essential and under-taught skill for college success. And we can develop this skill by thinking more carefully about the kind of activities you ordinarily participate in, such as playing a game. Can work be a kind of game? Is it possible to win a game by cheating? And why do we find gameplay so interesting?

Format: Online

Instructor: Dr. Joshua Rust