Some Reflections about Games: Potential and Limits

Abstract

Considering the influences of games on the social environment and their educational potential, this article aimed, through a bibliographic research, to indicate understandings about games and their relationships with human beings. In “About games”, some literature and legislation on games are presented, seeking to show how this knowledge has been conceptualized. In “Potentials and limits”, possibilities and limitations are illustrated, pointing out three forms assumed by games: strategic, chance-based, and divinatory. It is possible to consider that the game contributes, in a certain way, to the construction of social identity, which can be freely given in interactions with the life-world, but can also be planned, revealing the importance of reflecting on games in order to subsidize educational actions that intend to address them.