The Matrix: A Critical Analysis Of Descartes And The Matrix

Introduction

The matrix is based on a philosophical question raised by seventh century philosophy Rene Desecrates. The movie has raised many questions, even by no philosophical minded people. The question of whether or not we are living in a matrix or a simulation. If reality is reality, how could we know for sure? This essay will look at if one could be rationally confident that he or she is not living in a matrix simulation. It will the critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the held position and final compare the view held by George Berkeley about the possibility of a real life simulation program being implemented right now.

What is the Matrix

The film the matrix has raised many philosophical questions on the existence of

Descartes used the wax argument to demonstrate how unrealisable ones’ sensors can be. Descartes was suspicious of his perceptions on what is real and what is not. He believed that perception is unreliable as it can be deceived. Therefore, the mental process of deception is the only ways to acquire knowledge knowing it has not been tampered with. Despite the scepticism desecrates held, he was certain that no one could be fooled about their own existence. Hence his famous dictum cogito ergo sum ‘I think, therefore I

However, how could you know they were your own thoughts? Your path in the simulation could have already been pre-programmed word for word, thought for thought. The only thing you could know for sure is your own existence as said by desecrates. There is no way to tell if you were pre-programmed. Life could be a simulation right now. This essay could have already been written in a script only to be re written for the purpose of this assignment thought to be completely by choice of question.

The cave

Like in Plato’s cave, the only way to tell if the life you are living in right now is real, is to be shown, directed out. Perhaps death is a concept and you just wake up. But who is to say that is the real reality when you have lived a whole life time in a simulation. In both the cave and the matrix, they must accept the truth before they can acquire deeper knowledge. To achieve this, they had to experience the shocking demonstration of how their senses are inadequate and that they can be systematically deceived.