ABSTRACT
The metaphysics of action as will, and the pragmatics of action as intended meanings that are defined by the effects they elicit and mobilize for the next move in a sequence are realized fully in the tightened and bounded systems of action that are games. Games are pragmatic machines in which agents produce actions which are conceived with one or more calculated intentions, and this is the meaning of the actions, though the nature of gaming being such, they may well be interruptions by the other player or players. In the metaphysics of games, the same transformation of willful intentionality into physical moves directed toward selected goals is in operation. In everyday life, in the ongoing sequences of acts and interactions, one must learn to accept victory and success in such acts and interactions, but also defeat—and games, either as direct participants or vicarious ones as spectators—enable us to get used to it.
