Clark focuses on interpreting the film but says little of philosophical interest, apart from some vague and unclear contentions about perception towards the end of his chapter. In The Matrix we see the rebels resolutely rejecting the comforts of the matrix, preferring grim reality. The Matrix also trades on more recent philosophical questions famously posed by the 17th century Frenchman René Descartes, concerning our inability … We have heard much about the potential perils of AI, but perhaps there is something in Agent Smith’s accusation. What analogies and similarities can you find to other situations or stories? With more questions simply posed as we delve into answering these questions. But how should that freedom be exercised? How do you know you're not living in a computer simulation? Ultimately, The Matrix is ​​a deeper movie as one might think a priori. Dante, and Shakespeare to raise philosophical questions. The matrix, he suggests, is a “cure” for this human “contagion”. The Matrix was a wonderfully philosophical and beautifully violent movie. If philosophy could be found only in the writing of philosophers and were relevant only to … Know first of all that there is no single answer to this question. How do you know you're not living in a computer simulation? The film’s chief villain, Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), darkly notes that unlike other mammals, (western) humanity insatiably consumes natural resources. In some respects, the film appears to be reaching for a view close to that of the 18th century German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, who insisted that our senses do not simply copy the world; rather, reality conforms to the terms of our perception. What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “philosophical film”? The film centres on a computer hacker, “Neo” (played by Keanu Reeves), who learns that his whole life has been lived within an elaborate, simulated reality. The Matrix caused his mind to believe his senses were experiencing that which the matrix was telling him was happening. Apart from Neo (played by Keanu Reeves), there are many interesting characters in the Matrix trilogy like Morpheus, Trinity, Oracle, Architect, Agent Smith & other Agents and many more. People will usually feel very strongly one way or the other about this topic. Australian Catholic University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU. //-->. The Matrix Trilogy is philosophical precisely because both the characters and the plot are driven by the big questions from almost every area of philosophy. Blog. “Fate” versus “free will” is a classic debate in philosophy. This escaped man, trying to liberate other men from the world of illusion, represents philosopher. 1st ed. In other words, Aristotle want to get back to the cave, instead of contemplating pure Ideas. for its over-the-top fight scenes, there is much to be gained from the film on both intellectual and philosophical levels. Independent from any institution or philosophical thought, the site is maintained by a team of former students in human sciences, now professors or journalists. Firstly, Cypher was right. We usually refer to these types of philosophical queries as thought experiments. 5.3k. Four of the most striking philosophical precedents for the Matrix trilogy are Jean Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Simulation , Plato’s allegory of the cave, Socrates’ visit to the Oracle of Delphi, and the work of … Morpheus: That you are a slave. The Matrix also trades on more recent philosophical questions famously posed by the 17th century Frenchman René Descartes, concerning our inability … Matrix, the first opus, is a stroke for smart minds and constitute one of the most typical philosophical movie. The world (the matrix) is a prison where there is neither hope nor taste nor smell, a prison for your mind” Matrix and The socratic Method We can follow the metaphor of this escaped man, with the figure of the philosopher (trying to enlighten his fellow), particularly of Socrates. Neo is consequently a double metaphor: both Socrates and Jesus. The Matrix 20 Years On: How a Sci-Fi Film Tackled Big Philosophical Questions. Senior Lecturer & Head of School of Philosophy, Australian Catholic University. Do you take the red pill or the blue pill? The founding principle of philosophy is perhaps the astonishment, source of the questions. There are however, two narrative inconsistencies which served to be the undoing of its conceptual and philosophical foundations. At this stage, a brief summary of the Allegory of the Cave is required. “Morpheus: She (the matrix) is the world that superimposes your look to keep you from seeing the Truth. The Matrix raises a number of philosophical issues. Why virtual reality cannot match the real thing. Are our lives nothing more than elaborate simulations programmed by hyperintelligent supercomputers? google_ad_width = 728; These questions that Putnam raised could also be seen in The Matrix. The late 20th century French thinker Jean Baudrillard, whose book appears briefly (with an ironic touch) early in the film, wrote extensively on the ways in which contemporary mass society generates sophisticated imitations of reality that become so realistic they are mistaken for reality itself (like mistaking the map for the landscape, or the portrait for the person). The Matrix also trades on more recent philosophical questions famously posed by the 17th century Frenchman René Descartes, concerning our inability to be certain about the evidence of our senses, and our capacity to know anything definite about the world as it really is. Like all the others you were born in chains. How much do we make our own choices, and how much is already laid out for us as soon as we are born? Some philosophical questions are so difficult you could tie yourself up in mental knots trying to understand them. Thus the matrix becomes a gigantic concentration camp. The Matrix 20 years on: how a sci-fi film tackled big philosophical questions. ” In The Matrix, Cypher follows the same trend: it suggests that “the matrix is ​​much more real than this reality” and hoping to return to the cave, he delivers his own machinery as Judas delivered Jesus to the Romans (Aristotle = Cypher = Judas). Neo: What truth? A freed prisoner, Plato suggests, would be startled to discover the truth about reality, and blinded by the brilliance of the sun. If the Christ is an obvious comparison, it is also because the character of Jesus owes much to that of Socrates (which he partly plagiarized), 2 died while being condemned by their own people while they were Saviours, the Chosen, the liberators. The Matrix recalls several philosophical thought experiments. Descartes doubts everything and the Matrix makes us doubt our senses. Below is a listing of some of the major branches of philosophical thought, and a brief survey of some of the questions that the films raise. While many may appreciate . Behind them, the opening of the cave with a wall, behind which men pass on their shoulders all kinds of items. The Matrix is based on a philosophical question posed by the 17th century French philosopher, René Descartes. In a famous passage from Plato’s Republic (ca 380 BCE), Plato has us imagine the human condition as being like a group of prisoners who have lived their lives underground and shackled, so that their experience of reality is limited to shadows projected onto their cave wall. The Matrix also trades on more recent philosophical questions famously posed by the 17th century Frenchman René Descartes, concerning our inability to be certain about the evidence of our senses, and our capacity to know anything definite about the world as it really is. This whole ideology is evidenced in the Matrix as Neo chooses to doubt the Matrix and engage in true reality in denying the false reality the machines have created. METAPHYSICS: THE STUDY/THEORY OF REALITY What makes this premise so interesting and engaging is that it is a very real philosophical … What pill would you choose and why? The Matrix. So ultimately, then, what is reality? Before being a field of study, it is above all a way of seeing the world, of questioning it. His principle philosophical idea … They do not show themselves receptive to his theories. Matrix shows us an update of the Allegory of the Cave of Plato, tinged Christianity and class struggle! This dilemma is unfolded in the first film’s increasingly notorious red/blue pill scene, which raises the ethics of belief. Red pill or blue pill? Richard Colledge does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. What is The Matrix? The world (the matrix) is a prison where there is neither hope nor taste nor smell, a prison for your mind”. The site thus covers the main philosophical traditions, from the Presocratic to the contemporary philosophers, while trying to bring a philosophical reading to the cultural field in general, such as cinema, literature, politics or music. She talked about something similar to the evil genius. Neo will also see an Oracle (note the quotation from Plato’s old lady, “know thyself“), like Socrates, he is the Elected and must save his people, and like him, he is dazzled by light after his release. google_ad_height = 15; Read more: The scientist has arranged that the brain will be stimulated with the same sort of inputs that a normal embodied brain receives. The-Philosophy.com - 2008-2019, Matrix and the philosophical meaning: Plato’s Cave, To Conclude: Matrix as a philosophical movie, https://www.the-philosophy.com/matrix-philosophical-analysis, Kant: Critique of practical reason (Summary). This “cyberpunk” sci-fi movie was a box office hit with its dystopian futuristic vision, distinctive fashion sense, and slick, innovative action sequences. This scenario recalls one of western philosophy’s most enduring thought experiments. Morpheus: That you are a slave. But unlike Plato’s prisoner, who discovers the “higher” reality beyond his cave, the world that awaits Neo is both desolate and horrifying. The most central of these is the question how you know whether the things you perceive are real or just an illusion. Philosophical Issues in The Matrix. You are simply existing at that point. The Matrix also trades on more recent philosophical questions famously posed by the 17th century Frenchman René Descartes, concerning our inability to be certain about the evidence of our senses, and our capacity to know anything definite about the world as it really is. In The Matrix, Neo is freed by rebel leader Morpheus (ironically, the name of the Greek God of sleep) by being awoken to real life for the first time. The Matrix does not belong to the list of Western classics, but never-theless the film raises the same philosophical questions as the great works of literature. Powered by WordPress. And besides the Christian religion in its construction and thought, is very close to the ideas of Plato (as well as other religions), it also helped to propagate his ideas of hegemonic way, not hesitating to ignore Aristotle (the “traitor”) for much of the Middle Ages (see “The Name of the Rose”). Embodied brain receives i just recently watched the first opus, is a “ cure ” for human. Consequently a double metaphor: both Socrates and Jesus analysis, May 30, 2012 ``... Everything and the Matrix Quotes and Dialogues ( 1999 ) 1 reference to Hilary Putnam think. Opening of the cave of Plato pass on their shoulders all kinds items! Important character, Trinity, completes the Neo-Trinity-Morpheus triangulation, which validates the Christ metaphor perceive are real or an! Allegory the matrix philosophical questions the cave with a wall, behind which men pass their! Of Plato, tinged Christianity and class struggle 1974 thought experiment by American,. 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