Matrix Analysis Essay, Research Paper

"That is because you are seeing for the first time." What is he

seeing? How is he seeing? These questions are often asked when referring to

philosophy. Philosophy is based on questioning and searching for truths. In

Matrix, the search and questions were for the truth about our own existence. We

see that we are here on earth. We feel things and know things, but why? Is it

because we are told to believe these things? The whole movie symbolized a path

of life which most of us have come across once or twice. This path is to

answers. Neo, the main character, is our guide through this movie. He drags us

through his thoughts and doubts which have been in all our minds. As a child did

you ever think that your life was just a dream? One day you would wake up and

you would be in a crib. You wouldn’t remember anything. This movie portrays the

minds and thoughts of anyone who has ever wondered or was intrigued. What is the

matrix? Well it can be perceived as anything one wants. The matrix is the

artificial mind. It is the blank slate in which we can program what we want. The

world as we know it now is just a program. The movie portrays the mind as a

white room. There are no walls, no furniture, just space. The matrix installs

the ideas, emotions, and sense that we think are real. Yet as we have matured,

our minds have been taught to believe that we are in a reality. What is real?

How can someone tell you it is real? Someone can call a color pink but what is

pink? To me I may see red, but I am told to think pink. Just as Shakespeare

wrote, "A rose is a rose by any other name it will still smell as

sweet." Philosophy is integrated well in this movie. It is not hidden, it

is relevant. The names of the characters in themselves mean a great deal. Thomas

Anderson, a computer hacker, becomes the chosen one. He has been picked by

Morpheus. Thomas Anderson doubts everything. He is referred to as the biblical

character "doubting Thomas". His name is change to Neo after he is

chosen. This is his "real" name. Neo, which means new or change,

symbolizes the need to find the truth. Once Neo believed, he found himself like

a Christ-like figure. He had to face a decision to die for all. He was chosen to

free us, who are slaves to the material, dream world. This is similar to Christ

dying for us. Morpheus, who is the guide to the "truth", is considered

the biblical figure John the Baptist. He is searching for the chosen one and is

relying on his faith to deliver him. John the Baptist prayed all his life to

find the Messiah. Finally he came just as Neo had. Trinity, who is a follower of

Morpheus, symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The combination of all three strengths

into one person. She is able to incorporate herself into Neo when he is on his

death bed. She is the breath of life. These biblical references opened the door

to many other philosophies. Throughout the whole movie, Descartes’ and Locke’s

ideas were being introduced and often used. Although I had previously stated

that Neo symbolized, Christ, he also had symbolized Descartes himself. "I

think therefore I am" that was the only thing Descartes was ever certain

of. He questioned everything and anything. The movie the Matrix stressed the use

of machines as the program of motion for humans. Descartes saw that all motions

were mechanical processes, but the soul can not be controlled. In one scene, Neo

fights Morpheus in a kung fu bout. Neo is programmed to be a fast fighter. He at

first does poorly because he tries to use his mind to control his actions. Then

he realizes that it is not his mind controlling him, it is machine. He believes

the human body is a perfect machine. Descartes feels that his life is a dream.

He has no way of distinguishing between dreams and reality, therefore he doubts

everything. "The greatest minds, as they are capable of the highest

excellencies are open to likewise to the greater aberrations; and those who

travel very slowly may yet make far greater progress, provided they keep always

to the straight road, than those who, while they run, forsake it." This

quote sums up all the ideas, thoughts, and doubts that Descartes eve had. He

knew that one could not go through life with out wondering or thinking. As long

as you go towards the right path, then you will find your answers. Throughout

the movie, many references were made to the idea of senses. It is believed by

every human that to know reality is to experience through your taste, smell,

touch, hear, and see. Locke believed that this was true. "There is nothing

in the mind except what was first in the senses." Locke’s point of view

contradicts Descartes and even the movie itself. Locke believed our mind is an

empty slate. This idea parallels to the ideas in the Matrix about the mind being

an empty room. Locke, though, insists that when we begin to use our senses we

start to have ideas. How are we to know that our senses are not programmed?

There is no correct answer. No one knows. Locke does state that the mind at

birth is the blank slate. In the movie, Neo was reborn into "reality".

He had wires and cords to machines. When they released them, he had no control

over anything. He had no understanding. The world was "new" to him.

Neo eventually "learned" everything again. He was taught through

computers, though, he never used his senses. Lock feels that the connection of

the mind and soul is through the senses. You can never have a full understanding

of life without feeling, seeing, tasting, etc. Does Lock have the right answers?

No one knows. In the Matrix, the minds of every individual was bombarded with

questions and ideas that were foreign to them. It is hard to say that a

philosopher has the right solution to a complex puzzle. Yet it seems that the

thoughts of an individual can influence anything. Morpheus said once, "You

can believe what you want". I feel that is a very accurate statement. No

one can ever force anyone believe anything. That is a freedom that we are

allowed. The movie is basically saying that you should never just accept what

one says. Life is meant to be questioned. Our existence is meant to be

challenged. Our minds are meant to be expanded. Every human should look at a

child and admire him. For he is the one who is closest to reality. A child’s

mind is always yearning to learn. As humans we feel once we reach a certain age,

we have learned all we need. Do you really believe that? Or do you just accept

it?

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