The Matrix (in the context of the film) is a virtual world that was constructed by robots in order to harness human body heat. The humans involved in the process, at least most of them, have absolutely no idea that their lives have absolutely no meaning outside of their own mind (Besides that for the machine. This is more applicable than I initially realized). Existing in the matrix would just be a direct data connection to the brain; as a result, they believe they are actually living their lives. If this were plausible (which it could be), then some method of omnipotent induction would have to exist and with a direct cranial connection, this would not be much of a stretch. Who is to say that in this world that we believe we inhabit, we are not actually in some matrix imposed by something that …show more content…
If what I perceived as reality was truly some mechanical construction linked directly to my consciousness, then how much power would the “being” have? I would assume if it has access to my consciousness, then it could feasibly implant memories, or experiences into my mind. This idea has actually been explored in other films such as Total Recall where the idea of memory implantation is toyed with in mind boggling ways. So if I were to be constantly implanted with memories that are chosen by some “machine” then how would I know? The machine would essentially be just feeding me streams of brain formatted information that I would not have any choice but to accept. Everything that I think I know about life could be a complete lie. In this instance the world would be a complete lie, and I would accept another falsity in order to accept what I perceive as acceptance. For all I know, the world could not even exist in any form I currently perceive it, and my brain has adjusted to constant stream of a plethora of
When the trailer for this film was first introduced to the public, many expected The Matrix to be just another science-fiction film with phenomenal special effects which lacked an intriguing plot. The majority of the reviews definitely put an end to this misconception. Most of the reviews written on this film eloquently complement the Wachowski brothers on their excellent story line. The Biblical references of this film incorporated with the phenomenal cinematography distinguish The Matrix from all other science-fiction films in which the main characters are on a race to save humanity. "The script, written by the Wachowski brothers is intelligent but carefully not geeky."2
The Matrix is considered by many people to be a cyberpunk triumph. Declan McCullagh from wired.com writes: "When Neo/Reeves wakes up from his VR slumber and unplugs from The Matrix, he joins a ragtag band of rebels led by the charismatic Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne). Their plan: To overthrow the artificial intelligences that have robbed humanity of reality" (McCullagh). Entertainment weekly also sees The Matrix as a movie about rebellion against oppression: "Neo is, of course, The One, the prophesied leader of the oppressed who will lead the people of Zion (an underground city populated by the last free humans) from bondage--but only if he can believe in himself and trust in the power of love" (Bernadin).
The key behind understanding the Matrix is the ability to search for the answer, as it encompasses everything. Morpheus says to Neo, “You are a slave Neo. Like everyone else, you were born into bondage, kept inside a prison that you cannot smell, taste, or touch. A prison for your mind,” when describing the truth that humanity has been blinded from. The Matrix is what would symbolize the concept of samsara in Buddhism. Neo is given two choices once he is exposed to the enslavement of human minds: to go back to his life oblivious to the Matrix or to see the Matrix in its true form, which would be like finding the Four Noble
The Matrix Reloaded is the second film in The Matrix trilogy. The 2003 film was written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski. The sequel went on to win 4 awards of 23 total nominations. The film follows the Academy Award winning The Matrix whereby hacker “Neo” contacts a man named Morpheus only to learn that he has been living in a computer simulation known as The Matrix ever since his birth. The Matrix was generated after humans lost a war against intelligent machines that programmed The Matrix in order to harness electricity from the humans. Neo learns that Morpheus is from Zion, a lone refugee city. Neo and Morpheus battle agents, malicious programs designed to protect the simulation, and work to free more humans.
Wartenberg addressed the question: “Can philosophy be screened?” (pg. 272) He then used thought experiment as a way that a film can represent philosophy. So what is “thought experiment”? Thought examinations include nonexistent situations in which the audience are asked to envision what things might be similar to if such-and-such were the situation. The individuals who feel that movies can really do philosophy show that fiction films can work as philosophical thought experiments and consequently qualify as philosophical. Wartenberg argues that it some fiction films as working in ways that thought experiments do, and thus they may be seen as doing philosophy. (pg. 276)
As the dawn of a new millennium approaches, people from all walks of life find themselves asking questions like "what will become?" and "what will destiny bring in the next century?" An event that happens but once every thousand years brings with it a sense of anticipation. In some, this anticipation is one of nervous fervor, and in others, it may be a cautious eagerness for a fresh start. Whatever the polarity of this event may be on the individual, one cannot help but notice the way the millennium is engulfing our society.
The Matrix series is much more than an action-packed sci-fi thriller. After one view of this film for the second and third time, we start to notice a great deal of symbolism. This symbolism starts to paint a completely different picture than the images of humans battling machines. It is a religious story, with symbols deeply set in the Christian faith. The Matrix contains religious symbolism through its four main characters, Morpheus, Neo, Trinity and Cypher. In that each character personifies the “Father,” the “Son,” “Satan,” and the “Holy Spirit” of the Christian beliefs only shown through the amazing performances of the actors. A critic by the name of Shawn Levy said "The Matrix slams you back in your chair, pops open your eyes and leaves your jaw hanging slack in amazement."(metacritic.com)
In a dream, humans can experience any sort of sensory experience but visual experiences are the most common. They draw upon the dreamer’s own memory and imagination to build upon. The movie “The Matrix” put forth the idea that one could live an entire life as a vegetable being fed an illusionary life via brain stimulation. The plot not only raises questions about the relationship of mind to body and the uncertainty of knowledge, but also more modern concerns about political power in a cyber-infected world.
The people who are living in the Matrix are essentially the same people who are living in the cave. Figuratively the people in the Matrix are bound only able to see the shadows of what is going on but in reality they can’t see the truth of what is happening. Neo can break free with the red pill, allowing himself to see the true meaning of what is beyond the shadows. In The Matrix when he is able to see beyond it is a world run by artificial intelligence but according the Plato being able to see is seeing a true perfect meaning of an eternal object. This red pill lets Neo open his mind to look at everything he once knew to an epistemologist outlook making him question everything that knew. I believe that an argument that Plato would make about
The simulated reality hypothesis is a simple idea that says that we, and everything in the known universe, is currently living inside a computer simulation. This idea has been talked about by philosophers for centuries and even has some ties to religion. Sci-fi writers have been writing about simulated reality for years and we have seen it visualised on tv shows yet the idea that we may be living inside of a computer simulation is almost unknown to most people.
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.
The matrix, as presented in the eponymous film, operates as an Althusserian Ideological State Apparatus (ISA). The Matrix1 presents a world in which "the state [as] a 'machine' of repression" is made literal where robots rule the land (Althusser 68). It is true that they rule by force (sentinels and agents) and these constitute the Repressive State Apparatus, but their primary force of subjugation is the matrix, their ISA. The film traces the path of one man, Neo, in his painful progress from the ideology of the matrix to the "real world," or the ideology of the "real."2
The Matrix Is Becoming a Reality In the science fiction movie "The Matrix" people are ruled by Artificial Intelligence (AI), machines made by men to make life easier on the human race. This form of industrialization has also begun in our world today. We have given birth to a host of machines that think for themselves, hoping they would make our lives easier and less taxing on our bodies. In the movie the machines have taken control of the humans and rule over them by hiding from them the real world.
In the film, The Matrix, the human race is forced into a “dream state” by a powerful group that controls their reality. “The Matrix” is a false reality where people live an ordinary life. However, this reality, or illusion, is being forced onto people who readily accept it as truth. This concept is where Friedrich Nietzsche’s essay, “On Truth and Lies in a Moral Sense” (1873) begins its argument. Nietzsche begins his argument by explaining that we have a need to form groups or “herds”. To keep these groups together “a uniformly valid and binding designation is given to things” (452). This idea basically boils down to groups create metaphors to further the groups purpose. Nietzsche continues by explaining that “This creator [of metaphors] only designates the relationship of things to man” (453). Ultimately, we can only derive metaphors from a human point of view. As a result of assigning these human designations, the whole identity of the “thing” is lost. Nietzsche wants us to break away from the designation given to “things” by groups because designations will only categorizes things as black and white.
The first reason living in the matrix would be a good thing is that one can imagine any circumstance possible and have it