Would You Want to Live in the Matrix?
The film
The Matrix
is in large part based on Descartes’
Meditations
, specifically the evil genius argument, and Plato’s allegory of the cave (video below). In
The Matrix
, one character, Cypher, wants to return to the matrix (a computer simulated reality), knowing full well that nothing he experiences there will be ‘real’ (see Agent Smith and Cypher video below).
First, by making specific references to the excerpts from Descartes’
Meditations
in Section A of Chapter 3, explain your understanding of Descartes’ dream argument and his evil demon/genius argument by giving a brief explanation of each.
Then, in thinking of how you value your experiences, specifically, what you value about them, answer the following: Does it matter to you if something ‘really’ happened? Or, if you experience something as real, is that all that matters? If, at the end of your life, you were to find out that all of your experiences had been a computer simulation, would that change the way you value the ‘experiences’ you had? Explain why or why not.
Make sure to follow the instructions given in Unit 1 in the Discussion Forums: Protocol and Grading Criteria folder for making specific references to texts, videos, and podcasts; posts that do not make references according to these instructions will not receive full credit.
Works Linked/Cited:
“The Cave: An Adaption of Plato’s Allegory in Clay.”
YouTube
, uploaded by bullheadent. 18 Apr. 2008,
The Cave: An Adaptation of Plato’s Allegory in Clay – YouTube
. Accessed 19 Aug. 2020.
“Agent Smith and Cypher.”
YouTube
, uploaded by pumasheen. 12 Dec. 2006,
Agent Smith and Cypher – YouTube
. Accessed 19 Aug. 2020.
