If you return from the beachside Light-Hearted Philosophers Conference seeking another way to avoid using philosophy to solve more pressing ethical problems, consider the 6th International Conference On the Philosophy of Computer Games , to be held in Madrid in January. The conference is looking for papers that treat the always-relevant questions of “time in computer game play” and “emotions and player experience,” but not to the exclusion of “methodological and epistemological considerations on studying player experience.”
While a conference on the philosophical analysis of humor might have its redeeming qualities, it is harder to see why studying the experiential and philosophical implications of non-reality is helpful. Since there are over 190 million households with next-generation video game consoles, and a majority of excessively violent games sold, a conference of philosophers studying the cultural and moral outcome of immoderate amounts of violent game-play, on the other hand, really might be worthwhile.
While I have you, can I ask you something? I’ll be quick.
Twenty-five thousand people subscribe to First Things. Why can’t that be fifty thousand? Three million people read First Things online like you are right now. Why can’t that be four million?
Let’s stop saying “can’t.” Because it can. And your year-end gift of just $50, $100, or even $250 or more will make it possible.
How much would you give to introduce just one new person to First Things? What about ten people, or even a hundred? That’s the power of your charitable support.
Make your year-end gift now using this secure link or the button below.