Philosophical Games

This is from the book Aristotle for Everybody, a commentary by Mortimer J. Adler published in 1978.

Many of us have played two games without realizing we were on the way to becoming philosophical. One is called "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral", the other "Twenty Questions".
Both games consist in asking questions. However that is not what makes them philosophical games; it is what lies behind the questions - a set of categories, a scheme of classification. Classifying things, placing them in this or that category, is a familiar process. Everyone does it at one time or another - shopkeepers whey they take stock of what is on their shelves, librarians when they catalogue books, secretaries when they file letters or documents. But when the objects to be classified are the contents of the physical world, or the even-larger universe that includes the physical world, then philosophy enters the pictures.

Classifying was one of the skills in which Aristotle excelled. Another was his skill in asking questions. Philosophical thought began with the asking of questions - questions that can be answered on the basis of our ordinary, everyday experience and with some reflection about that experience that results in a sharpening and refinement of our common sense.

So searching for the two games above Animal, Vegetable, Mineral and 20Q, I learned that it is similar to a local game here in a Philippine TV show. Aside from making our minds sharp, the game also teaches teamwork because one person asks questions about a word shown on the monitor above the person so the person cannot see it while the other person can only answer with a Yes, No or Maybe. This is like the national game here in cause the game is played at the schools, parties, basically anywhere.

Philosophy
: the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc.
: a particular set of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc.
: a set of ideas about how to do something or how to live

So games questioning the ordinary and everyday life is a good foundation that leads to more challenging questions and aspects of life. When you play these games at young age, your interest in a particular field or fields will show much faster thus your learning curve will also be faster so you will know your direction in life. Needless to say, we need to play these games all the time, and then moving on to difficult ones.

Acts 9
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 

29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

This is the story of Saul who became an ally to the Early Christians. When you truly seek the truth, God will show you great things. Your questioning for the truth will lead to becoming bold and adamant in debates and disputes about your faith, career, and whatever aspirations you have.

Matthew 6
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Saul must suffer because he is an initiate. The initiation entails suffering to unlearn things in able to learn the doctrines of Jesus.

Matthew 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.