Comparing and Contrasting the Matrix

Comparing and Contrasting the Matrix, Plato, and Descartes

and if the World is Real

Heather Lawrence

Philosophy 201, Section B 41

Professor Meeks

September 23, 2013

L25076127

Introduction

In this essay the following will be discussed. How The Matrix, Excerpt of Plato’s, “The Allegory of the Cave”, and Rene Descartes, “Meditation of First Philosophy” compare and contrast to one another and if the world can be proven to be real. These two topics will be examined by discussing how all three stories are similar and how they are different and by expressing how and why the world is real.

Discussion

After reading the synopsis of The Matrix, Excerpt of Plato’s, “The Allegory of the Cave”, and Rene Descartes, Meditation on First Philosophy, 1641 several times; it can be said that there are many similarities and differences between all three of the stories. In fact all three readings carry the same opinion; they all doubt the reality of the world around us. All three of the readings ask important questions regarding philosophy. Is the world that we perceive as reality actually real or is it all simply a dream or a hoax made up by some Being who is having a good laugh at our cost? Plato, Descartes, and the writers and creators of The Matrix offer situations which our minds and/or reality is being controlled by something outside of ourselves. Meaning something besides our own being is controlling what we do, say, hear, smell, taste, and see. Whether or not it is a computer system, a shadows on a cave wall, or a malignant demon; it the readings it is always something else besides our own beings controlling what we recognize and understand to be real.

There are several differences between the three readings and like previously stated in the essay, all three of the readings have similar opinions on what our reality is but One of the differences is whether or not it is a computer system, shadows on a cave wall, or a malignant demon that determines what we recognize...