Scribd
Upload
489 views2 pages

Parallels: The Matrix & Plato's Cave

1. The Matrix and Plato's Allegory of the Cave both depict people living in a false reality, unaware of the true nature of the world. In The Matrix, Neo discovers an alternate reality beyond the simulated one created by machines to use humans as an energy source. 2. Symbols in The Matrix include character names representing concepts like "the virus" or "the programmer," as well as objects like the spoon showing the difference between real and not real, and the red/blue pills representing freedom vs staying in the illusion. 3. We can never be certain what is real, as our perceptions could be deceptions. Freedom requires freeing the mind from deception and lies, though some may prefer

Uploaded by

Jad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
489 views2 pages

Parallels: The Matrix & Plato's Cave

1. The Matrix and Plato's Allegory of the Cave both depict people living in a false reality, unaware of the true nature of the world. In The Matrix, Neo discovers an alternate reality beyond the simulated one created by machines to use humans as an energy source. 2. Symbols in The Matrix include character names representing concepts like "the virus" or "the programmer," as well as objects like the spoon showing the difference between real and not real, and the red/blue pills representing freedom vs staying in the illusion. 3. We can never be certain what is real, as our perceptions could be deceptions. Freedom requires freeing the mind from deception and lies, though some may prefer

Uploaded by

Jad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

TOK - The Matrix and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave

1. What are the parallels/similarities between The Matrix and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave? Between
The Matrix and our world?
The prisoners in Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” are blind from true reality as well as the people in the
movie “The Matrix” written and directed by the Wachowski brothers. They are given false images and
they accept what their senses are telling them, and they believe what they are experiencing is all that
really exists. Plato the ancient Greek philosopher wrote “The Allegory of the Cave”, to explain the
process of enlightenment and what true reality may be. In the movie “The Matrix”, Neo (the main
character) was born into a world of illusions called the matrix. His true reality is being controlled by
the puppet- handlers called the machines who use the human body as a source of energy. In the
movie, Neo, finds and alternate reality and he has to go on a journey to discover himself and what is
around him.

2. Discuss symbolism in The Matrix. In addition to the symbols listed below, feel free to add others that
you notice.

a) Symbolism of the characters’ names:


Neo/Thomas Anderson: The virus

Trinity: The food Morpheus: The code made by the programmer

Cypher: A fallen angel/betrayer/glitch in the The Oracle: The programmer who programed
virus the virus

b) the spoon
An object that is there to show the connection between what is real and what is not.
c) doors
Stairway to heaven

d) red pill/blue pill


The choice between heaven or hell

e) Other(s)?

3. How do we know that what we perceive is real? Do we ever distrust our mentality?
The human mind is able to explore out of the box and try to imagine and believe that we are mot where
we seem but without evidence the human brain can only do so much.

4. How can Neo free himself from the Matrix? How is the idea of FREEDOM explored in the film?
The idea of freedom is freeing the mind from all the deception and lies then if the person liked the matrix
better maybe he could be brought back.

5. What can you do to set yourself free from the matrix?


Unplug your brain from the AI tanks

6. Do we care about certain things independent of the experiences they create for us? For example, is
being in reality important even if the experience isn’t pleasant?
Yes, because we know that we aren’t being lied to and that feeling alone is better than just living what I
am programmed to.

You might also like