FREE ESSAY ON THE MATRIX ANALYSIS

THE MATRIX ANALYSIS

The Matrix Analysis
My eyes hurt. 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?