Enculturation: Charles Heinemann

Lacan's Imaginary Prisoner Game
Charles Heinemann

Enculturation, Vol. 1, No. 2, Fall 1997

The Situation: You are one of three prisoners in a jail. The guards have five colored discs. Two of the discs are black; three are white. One disc is placed on the wall behind the head of each prisoner. You can, as can the other prisoners, see the color of the disc placed behind the other two prisoners. However, you cannot see the color behind your own head.

If the disc behind your head is white, you may leave. However, if you leave and the disc behind your head is black you face death.

Once a player reaches the door, the game is over: you are free, imprisoned, or dead.

How to Play:

To begin the game, click on the red clock.
To exit the jail, click on the jail room door.
To play again, click on the PLAY AGAIN icon.

ENTER THE GAME