Science as a game: unfortunate choice of words?

Bill Hamilton (hamilton@predator.cs.gmr.com)
Wed, 10 Jan 1996 11:10:56 -0500

Burgy and others have characterized science as a game, and I understand
what they want to communicate by this terminology: the people who do
science have rules for the conduct of that enterprise that have been
developed by experience, and those who want to participate must -- at least
until their credibility is established -- abide by the rules. That much is
fine. Every community of professionals has developed rules to facilitate
progress and orderliness without chaos.

The downside of this terminology is all too obvious. "Game" carries a
variety of connotations that probably interfere with communication: outside
the workplace, games are sports and amusements. Inside the workplace, the
phrase "what's his game?" usually is not seeking an answer that is
complimentary to the person being inquired about.

Perhaps we could call science something else, such as an enterprise. It
might help avoid misunderstandings.

Bill Hamilton | Vehicle Systems Research
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