Comparing Anderson And The Matrix

The Matrix and Philosophy: Alethiology

Choice is defined as “an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities” (Webster). In the Wachowski Brothers revolutionary film series The Matrix, Thomas “Neo” Anderson is faced with a decision that could, and eventually does, alter his life’s course drastically. Neo is offered the chance to live a blissfully ignorant life by way of the blue pill or the ability to learn a painful truth by way of the red pill. As “The One” so eloquently stated: “The problem is choice” (Wachowski). Yet, the dilemma I experience when faced with the same question is not choice but honesty. I believe that the person that I am would immediately choose the red pill; holding truth and a thirst

While I cannot help but agree with this statement, I find myself holding tightly to my belief in honesty. With just a glance at the news, it would be obvious to anyone anywhere that our world is in turmoil. The idea of hope has fallen through the cracks in the fragile facade of the media. Subsequently, copious authoritative figures have fed the public lies about matters of grave importance to “keep the situation under control.” However, is it not better to face the painful truth than to be comforted by a blatant lie? Even under the circumstances Neo faces, I believe that I would choose truth. Not due to morality, perhaps not even due to personal principles, but simply because I cannot bear to deny the power of

However, today’s world and the world of the Matrix share the same incapacity to comprehend freedom. Freedom or autonomy is defined as “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint” (Webster). While the minds of the modern generation hold true to the freedoms of speech and information, are these same minds emancipated from themselves? As aforementioned, compatibilist Kant theorized that we are both imprisoned and liberated. Furthermore, Kant argued that our environments influence our ability to form decisions. During the first installment of the film series, Morpheus speaks of those within the Matrix as though they are slaves. “What do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters… you have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.” Here, Morpheus is outlining a quality present in both of our worlds: a false sense of freedom. A quality that, in my eyes, has caused much of humanities