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Is the world around us truly as it appears or are we inert bodies in tanks, our brains subjected to electronic stimulation creating a make-believe world of hallucination? The Keanu Reeves cult sci-fi movie, The Matrix, vividly conveyed the excitement and the horror of a fake world made of nothing but perceptions, substituting for a real world of grim despair. Since The Matrix is probably the most overtly philosophical movie ever to have come out of Hollywood it has popularised issues on which philosophers have a lot to say. The Matrix and Philosophy is from the same team of cool, capable, young philosophers who created The Simpsons and Philosophy, which redefined the market for a work by serious philosophers. It has 20 new, thoughtful essays on philosophical problems raised by The Matrix, many of which focus on the issues "Can we be sure the world is really there, and if not, what should we do about it?" The book also explores other philosophical puzzles including ethical ones like Cypher's decision to choose a pleasurable fake world over a wretched real one.
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Many people recognize The Matrix as a retelling of "the greatest story ever told." Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Many people recognize The Matrix as a retelling of "the greatest story ever told." Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This collection of philosophical essays is a painless introduction to philosophy. Reading it won't necessariy help you ace Philosophy 101 exams, but careful reading will help you see the important points of the movie along with helping you understand basic philosophical concepts.
Relating basic philosophical concepts to a popular and enjoyable movie is bound to improve your mind. But don't let that scare you. You'll end up enjoying it immensely.
Trust me.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book looks at 'The Matrix' and philosophical questions in relation to it. It has a collection of essays by various authors and whilst most of these are very readable and clear, I found at least 3 to be poorly written and so 'Up' themselves that they imparted little worthwhile thoughts or insight. The editors essay was especially good as an introduction to the book and if he had written the rest then this could have been a stronger overall package. The essays were also quite repetitive, using the same quotes to justify their points to the extent that it got tedious reading them again and again. There is only so many 'splinter in your mind' and Cyphers ignorance at being plugged back in to the matrix references you can read in any one book, however much a fan of the film you are. Be aware this only covers the first film and I believe that there is another book in the series looking at the sequels, but based on this one I won't be tracking that down any time soon. For huge fans of the film this may be a good read, but for those interested in philosophical question raised by the matrix, any good introduction to philosophy book will serve just as well. If you'd like to explore the philosophical and scientific ideas behind this film more then I'd suggest 'Taking the Red Pill' by Glenn Yeffeth and David Gerrold as it is clearer and much more engaging. An OK book, but not outstanding.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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38 reviews
139 of 140 people found the following review helpful
Excellent for Intro. to Philosophy Courses
22 Nov 2002
Format:Paperback
I use this book in the Introduction to Philosophy course that I teach. This book provides me with an "in" that I can use in order to discuss very important philosophical issues. It is often difficult to make the material "come to life", especially when teaching a required course. By using this book, it is possible to make the process much more enjoyable for students who would otherwise be disinterested. This book can be used on its own or, being that it is relatively inexpensive, it can be used as a companion piece along with a textbook. For the most part, the writing is lively and engaging. It is both accessible to Intro. students and interesting to graduate students. Anyone who has had an even cursory acquaintance with philosophical writing knows how rare that is. I believe this to be the best book in the series. I am most likely biased; I have what some might call an unhealthy obsession with the film. The other two books, Seinfeld and Philosophy and Simpsons and Philosophy, are excellent, but this book is much better for use in an intro. course for on simple reason: To understand most of the essays in the other two books, the reader will have to be familiar with the series. Seeing a few episodes will not do. With The Matrix, you can watch a two hour movie and be able to understand the references that are made in the book. A few highlights:
Ch.1: Computers, Caves, and Oracles: Neo and Socrates- Compares Plato's allegory of the cave to Neo's journey. An excellent discussion of what it means to lead an examined life and seek the truth. Excellent segue into the red pill/blue pill debate.
Ch.6: The Machine-Made Ghost: Or, The Philosophy of Mind, Matrix Style- Discusses Artificial Intelligence and the nature of the mind. The author argues against dualism and favors a materialistic view. Leads to a discussion on whether or not it would be theoretically possible for a Matrix to exist and the presuppositions that are present in the movie with regard to the nature of the mind.
Ch.8: Fate, Freedom, and Foreknowledge: A discussion of fate, freedom, omniscience and determinism. Even if they escaped the Matrix, would people really be free?
Ch.11: Happiness and Cypher's Choice: Is Ignorance Bliss?- My favorite essay in the book. What do we make of Cypher's decision to try to return to the Matrix? Is a decimated reality preferable to an artificial world where you can "eat" a juicy steak and do not have to worry about Sentinels trying to kill you? The author says that it is, and his argument is very thought-provoking.
There are other excellent essays in this book, but these happen to be my favorites. Students, teachers and those who are just interested in philosophy: You should definitely buy this excellent book.
Ch.1: Computers, Caves, and Oracles: Neo and Socrates- Compares Plato's allegory of the cave to Neo's journey. An excellent discussion of what it means to lead an examined life and seek the truth. Excellent segue into the red pill/blue pill debate.
Ch.6: The Machine-Made Ghost: Or, The Philosophy of Mind, Matrix Style- Discusses Artificial Intelligence and the nature of the mind. The author argues against dualism and favors a materialistic view. Leads to a discussion on whether or not it would be theoretically possible for a Matrix to exist and the presuppositions that are present in the movie with regard to the nature of the mind.
Ch.8: Fate, Freedom, and Foreknowledge: A discussion of fate, freedom, omniscience and determinism. Even if they escaped the Matrix, would people really be free?
Ch.11: Happiness and Cypher's Choice: Is Ignorance Bliss?- My favorite essay in the book. What do we make of Cypher's decision to try to return to the Matrix? Is a decimated reality preferable to an artificial world where you can "eat" a juicy steak and do not have to worry about Sentinels trying to kill you? The author says that it is, and his argument is very thought-provoking.
There are other excellent essays in this book, but these happen to be my favorites. Students, teachers and those who are just interested in philosophy: You should definitely buy this excellent book.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
A good starting point into the Desert of the Real
30 Dec 2002
Format:Paperback
You know, I never took a single philosophy course in college, and this book still swept me right up. The thinking man has already pondered many of the issues this book brings up, but it examines them in a more analytical way that helps to focus your thinking.
The book is essentially a collection of essays connecting "The Matrix" (and occasionally other films) to the modern school of thinking. As such, it could have used some editing -- the analogy to Descarte's demon allegory is certainly pertinent, but we don't need it explained to us 18 times.
The essays generally fall into two categories -- those which use "The Matrix" as a starting point for serious philosophical debate and those which attempt to apply schools of thought that the filmmakers almost certainly never intended (virtually the entire final segment of the book is like this). The former work very well, the latter do not.
For fans of "The Matrix" who want to examine it as more than just a film but as a question that doesn't really have an answer, this is a great place to start.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Intriguing way to learn more about philosophy.
3 April 2003
Format:Paperback
I would say this is a must read for those interested in learning more about philosophy or even self taught scholars who are openminded to present day applications of basic theories. Although I do not completely agree with all the analyses and comparisons offered in this book, I cannot argue against the fact that like its predecessors (The Simpsons and Philosophy and Seinfeld and Philosophy) this collection of essays offers a unique opportunity to explain sometimes complex theories of philosophy in a palpable and comprehensible manner that I think anyone can appreciate. I admit that although some of the analysis require time to digest and at times may be a slow read, this book is well worth it if you are interested in learning more about philosophy and do not feel like buying "An idiots guide to philosophy". I have used the theories that I have found in this book to concentrate on specific philosophers and avenues of thought. Also, it is just more interesting as it makes you think and gives you tangible examples that parallel with your own life experiences. Of course these life experiences may not include the gravity defying martial arts but stranger things have been true so I leave it to you to decide. Which pill will you choose?
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