Imagination and Reality
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Lizzie McCormick
May 9, 2011, 9:55:40 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
How do the ideas and themes in "The Matrix" connect to ideas about the
imagination that we've encountered in philosophy or psychology?
imagination that we've encountered in philosophy or psychology?
Yuriel Espinal
May 9, 2011, 11:43:20 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The themes and ideas in "The Matrix" really connect to both philosophy
and psychology. It connect to philosophy in the question that is
normally tied in with this movie, "What is real?" In the Matrix, what
Neo thinks is a "reality" is nothing but an illusion. He then makes
the choice to get out of the illusion, and goes to the real world. The
movie is somewhat straight forward to the veiwer about knowing the
differences between the two "worlds". But if we were to put ourselves
in Neo's shoes, the question about reality is the only constant thing
in our mind. It is difficult to answer because then if what we the
think is "the truth" turns out to not be the actual "truth" then
reality is in question. This also alters the person, in this case
Neo's, psychological perspective on reality. There are certain things
in reality that shouldn't happen, but if Neo is confused as to which
is the real "reality", then how can he distinguish what can or cannot
happen? For example, in the actual "Matrix", the natural laws of
physics are broken when Neo jumps from rooftop to rooftop, or when he
stops the bullets. But in the real world, that isn't possible. This
can make Neo question what truly is or isn't real, and can eventually
drive him insane.
On May 9, 9:55 am, Lizzie McCormick <lizzie.mccorm...@gmail.com>
wrote:
and psychology. It connect to philosophy in the question that is
normally tied in with this movie, "What is real?" In the Matrix, what
Neo thinks is a "reality" is nothing but an illusion. He then makes
the choice to get out of the illusion, and goes to the real world. The
movie is somewhat straight forward to the veiwer about knowing the
differences between the two "worlds". But if we were to put ourselves
in Neo's shoes, the question about reality is the only constant thing
in our mind. It is difficult to answer because then if what we the
think is "the truth" turns out to not be the actual "truth" then
reality is in question. This also alters the person, in this case
Neo's, psychological perspective on reality. There are certain things
in reality that shouldn't happen, but if Neo is confused as to which
is the real "reality", then how can he distinguish what can or cannot
happen? For example, in the actual "Matrix", the natural laws of
physics are broken when Neo jumps from rooftop to rooftop, or when he
stops the bullets. But in the real world, that isn't possible. This
can make Neo question what truly is or isn't real, and can eventually
drive him insane.
On May 9, 9:55 am, Lizzie McCormick <lizzie.mccorm...@gmail.com>
wrote:
Kelly Brosnan
May 9, 2011, 11:52:17 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The first thing we read in our class was Alice in Wonderland. The
Matrix makes direct references to Alice in Wonderland with “following
the white rabbit.” In The Matrix and Alice in Wonderland the main
characters, Neo and Alice, let their imaginations take over their
reality. Both characters can be diagnosed with diseases we study in
psychology such as personality disorders, extreme cases of coping
using defense mechanisms.
We can make the connection between John Nash from the movie A
Beautiful Mind we watched and Neo and argue their both schizophrenics
who imagined people with life altering views. In both cases their
views of reality were altered and they were lead to believe people
were out to get them. In Neo’s case the agents. In John Nash’s the
Russians.
While reading the Picture of Dorian Gray we studied a very little
piece of the bible and made the connection to the characters. The
Matrix has themes of religion from Gnostic Christianity and Buddhism.
Dennisse Pizarro
May 9, 2011, 11:55:06 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The themes that we have encounter in "The Matrix" are connected in
many ways. In philosophy, the topic that impacted me the most was
Gnostic Christianity and the theory of the means of production. For
Gnostic Christianity, the idea of seeking God is constant and is what
they focus on most of the time likewise in “the Matrix” the constant
reminder of the one which is Neyo, that he was the one to save the
specie. In the Theory of the means of production by Karl Marx reminds
us the sequel of things in the Matrix how the machines in a way were
in control, it was their world and we was invading them just like we
used to do with them. The difference between the two categories the
instruments of labor and subjects of labor can be shown also through
he machines and people. In psychology we can compare it to the brain
structure. There is a scene in which Morpheus and Neyo are talking and
he says I though it wasn’t real and Morpheus answers you mind makes it
real. In a way we can see that most of the time we are control by our
mind and our body responds. The themes of the real and the unreal can
also relate to psychology how to differ them when Neyo makes the
choice of which pill of take either the blue one or the red one.
many ways. In philosophy, the topic that impacted me the most was
Gnostic Christianity and the theory of the means of production. For
Gnostic Christianity, the idea of seeking God is constant and is what
they focus on most of the time likewise in “the Matrix” the constant
reminder of the one which is Neyo, that he was the one to save the
specie. In the Theory of the means of production by Karl Marx reminds
us the sequel of things in the Matrix how the machines in a way were
in control, it was their world and we was invading them just like we
used to do with them. The difference between the two categories the
instruments of labor and subjects of labor can be shown also through
he machines and people. In psychology we can compare it to the brain
structure. There is a scene in which Morpheus and Neyo are talking and
he says I though it wasn’t real and Morpheus answers you mind makes it
real. In a way we can see that most of the time we are control by our
mind and our body responds. The themes of the real and the unreal can
also relate to psychology how to differ them when Neyo makes the
choice of which pill of take either the blue one or the red one.
Dennisse Pizarro
May 9, 2011, 11:54:03 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
Lauren Williams
May 9, 2011, 11:59:26 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The idea of Rene Descarte's "The Evil Deceiver" ties into philosophy
and psychology. The Evil Deceiever is an illusion, according to
Descarte, that portrays a world outside of this one, with other people
living on it. The Evil Deceiver also represents body senses but
Descartes has no body. This also connects to the theory of George
Berkeley that everything is perceived. And like in the Matrix their
bodies are really not present. And the outside world is controlled by
the agents (the evil deceivers) in an outside world. The agents in
The Matrix are evil and can transform into other people, so they
necessarily don't have any body, just like The Evil Deceiver.
and psychology. The Evil Deceiever is an illusion, according to
Descarte, that portrays a world outside of this one, with other people
living on it. The Evil Deceiver also represents body senses but
Descartes has no body. This also connects to the theory of George
Berkeley that everything is perceived. And like in the Matrix their
bodies are really not present. And the outside world is controlled by
the agents (the evil deceivers) in an outside world. The agents in
The Matrix are evil and can transform into other people, so they
necessarily don't have any body, just like The Evil Deceiver.
Gregory Smith
May 9, 2011, 11:59:33 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The connection can be made that an overactive imagination can be
harmful to an individual. In the movie "A Beautiful Mind" or even in
the case of Henry Darger, and Alice in Wonderland the characters lived
in a world of their own creation. All were deceived by this self
created world to be the real world. It ties into the Matrix because
it involves a level of disconnect and confusion as to what is real and
what isn't. The mind, in a way, creates a mask that alters the true
nature of reality, deceiving the individual from knowing what is
real. It all revolves around the mind, where the imagination exists,
as a subjective experience to the individual.
harmful to an individual. In the movie "A Beautiful Mind" or even in
the case of Henry Darger, and Alice in Wonderland the characters lived
in a world of their own creation. All were deceived by this self
created world to be the real world. It ties into the Matrix because
it involves a level of disconnect and confusion as to what is real and
what isn't. The mind, in a way, creates a mask that alters the true
nature of reality, deceiving the individual from knowing what is
real. It all revolves around the mind, where the imagination exists,
as a subjective experience to the individual.
serafina(yuxian,ou)
May 9, 2011, 11:59:55 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The movie of the Matrix tells us what is real in the world? The
realism in the world, not the thing we can touch, we can see.
Sometimes something you never know or never see, it doesn't mean this
is unreal for you. So the claim is what is real in the world? I will
start it from psychology, the realism not only the thing you can touch
and you can see that is real for you, but also your mind make an
inportant role for you to believe what is real in the world. For
example, when Neo reborn as a another person in the world. He knows
everything in his life like a control by the computer system. He didn'
t know Chinese GongFu before, when somtime insert a data in the
computer. He begin to fall into a unreal world and his partner help
him to pratise. .......
realism in the world, not the thing we can touch, we can see.
Sometimes something you never know or never see, it doesn't mean this
is unreal for you. So the claim is what is real in the world? I will
start it from psychology, the realism not only the thing you can touch
and you can see that is real for you, but also your mind make an
inportant role for you to believe what is real in the world. For
example, when Neo reborn as a another person in the world. He knows
everything in his life like a control by the computer system. He didn'
t know Chinese GongFu before, when somtime insert a data in the
computer. He begin to fall into a unreal world and his partner help
him to pratise. .......
vero
May 9, 2011, 11:59:59 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The Matrix does have a lot to do with the imagination, philosophy and
psychology. Psychological relation between The Matrix and psychology
it’s a mental state that Neo is brought in to, that washes his brain
and gives him a new mind that thinks differently than what he used to
be. Philosophically comes the theory of George Berkeley that says
that it’s all perception and that there is no such thing as
materialistic objects. All things that are seen are perceived by the
individual and if they aren’t perceived they can’t be seen. The
perfect example of this is when Neo goes to speak with Oracle, and
sees the little girl bending the spoon, the little girl tell him that
it’s not the spoon that is bending it’s her that is bending. When she
tells him she hands Neo the spoon, he tries what she told him and
accomplishes bending the spoon.
Joelvis
May 9, 2011, 12:00:06 PM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
I think most of the Ideas of "The Matrix" connect more to psychology,
than philosophy, basically because it can be explained with facts
rather then theory. For example, Morpheus explains to Neo, when he
first goes into "The Matrix" that his appearance is his "mental
projection of his physical sense", in other words, what he pictures in
his mind, when he thinks of his self image, which is a process of the
imagination. He also goes into saying that your Senses+Brain= Real.
Based on that, I can elaborate a procedure that is supports what he
says. When you see something, for example what is written right now.
Your using your Sight. (you can also use your other Senses to
determine that your looking at a Real computer, in a Real room, using
your Real body. ex: touch your computer, or hear the fan in the power-
supply :D ) , at the moment you used your senses, messages are being
sent to your Brain, that support what is being presented to you,
making all this real.
Going into Philosophy, The Matrix can also be explained in
Baudrillards theory of Hyper-Reality. It discusses that Reality, is a
sequence of simulations and sensations that have already been created,
and were just going through the map. For example: Disney Land, the
place where cartoons are real, and people are nice,everyone is happy
and everything is safe. Well thats what we think. But what if you go
to Disney Land, and Donald Duck (well the guy...or girl, under the
costume)is having a really bad day and isnt as friendly as seen in
television: this just ruins the reality of it.
In the Matrix, everything is what you want it to be, you can load a
whole inventory of guns and fly, and dodge bullets, but this is all
simulated, and created by someone(Tank , in this case), that makes it
real, when you see or think of it.
so does that mean that the reality is the matrix is the thruth? or
what is really the Truth?
than philosophy, basically because it can be explained with facts
rather then theory. For example, Morpheus explains to Neo, when he
first goes into "The Matrix" that his appearance is his "mental
projection of his physical sense", in other words, what he pictures in
his mind, when he thinks of his self image, which is a process of the
imagination. He also goes into saying that your Senses+Brain= Real.
Based on that, I can elaborate a procedure that is supports what he
says. When you see something, for example what is written right now.
Your using your Sight. (you can also use your other Senses to
determine that your looking at a Real computer, in a Real room, using
your Real body. ex: touch your computer, or hear the fan in the power-
supply :D ) , at the moment you used your senses, messages are being
sent to your Brain, that support what is being presented to you,
making all this real.
Going into Philosophy, The Matrix can also be explained in
Baudrillards theory of Hyper-Reality. It discusses that Reality, is a
sequence of simulations and sensations that have already been created,
and were just going through the map. For example: Disney Land, the
place where cartoons are real, and people are nice,everyone is happy
and everything is safe. Well thats what we think. But what if you go
to Disney Land, and Donald Duck (well the guy...or girl, under the
costume)is having a really bad day and isnt as friendly as seen in
television: this just ruins the reality of it.
In the Matrix, everything is what you want it to be, you can load a
whole inventory of guns and fly, and dodge bullets, but this is all
simulated, and created by someone(Tank , in this case), that makes it
real, when you see or think of it.
so does that mean that the reality is the matrix is the thruth? or
what is really the Truth?
Donsha Jones
May 9, 2011, 11:59:51 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The themes in "The Matrix", in my opinion, connect more to themes we
have encountered in philosophy. The very premise of the question "What
is real?" is the essential question rooted on all philosophy. The idea
that the world, as I know it, can be turned on its head with the
revelation of some hidden truth is, once again in my opinion, is the
very reason we search for knowledge and answers. I believe we can only
hope to make or have an "accurate" view of reality when we have been
presented all or most of the facts. The more limited you are in your
knowlegde or awareness of the truth the less likely you are to have an
accurate view of reality.......
have encountered in philosophy. The very premise of the question "What
is real?" is the essential question rooted on all philosophy. The idea
that the world, as I know it, can be turned on its head with the
revelation of some hidden truth is, once again in my opinion, is the
very reason we search for knowledge and answers. I believe we can only
hope to make or have an "accurate" view of reality when we have been
presented all or most of the facts. The more limited you are in your
knowlegde or awareness of the truth the less likely you are to have an
accurate view of reality.......
Ericka Freyre
May 9, 2011, 11:59:42 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The idea of your dream being vividly real can depend on your
imagination. In the Matrix they use lines from The Wizard of Oz as
well as Alice in Wonderland. They are both stories in which two girls
wake up from dreams that seem to be real. In both stories it takes
place in the mind of these young girls. In The Matrix Neo is also
dreaming when he is in the Matrix. But awake when he is on the ship
the Nebuchadnezzar. In psychology dreams are very important because
they are your subconscious thoughts. In The Matrix it appears they are
going deep into your thoughts and living there and changing your
reality. Because the reality is not what you know but what you are
then awakened to.
imagination. In the Matrix they use lines from The Wizard of Oz as
well as Alice in Wonderland. They are both stories in which two girls
wake up from dreams that seem to be real. In both stories it takes
place in the mind of these young girls. In The Matrix Neo is also
dreaming when he is in the Matrix. But awake when he is on the ship
the Nebuchadnezzar. In psychology dreams are very important because
they are your subconscious thoughts. In The Matrix it appears they are
going deep into your thoughts and living there and changing your
reality. Because the reality is not what you know but what you are
then awakened to.
N.Kebe
May 9, 2011, 11:59:53 AM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
In the Matrix they live in this so called "real world." Their
imagination over dominates reality. During the movie, they have based
one of their theories on Alice in Wonderland; such as going down the
rabbit hole to get a taste of reality. Since Alice in Wonderland is an
imagination based story, Alice and Neo’s experience are rather
similar. Alice was able to fall into a deep sleep and later wakes up,
however Neo had an option. Neo was given two pills by Morpheus,
Morpheus says that if Neo chooses the red pill, he shall “stay in
wonderland and show him how deep the rabbit hole is” or if he takes
the blue pill “he will wake up and forget it all.” To Neo’s curiosity,
he took the red pill and was never to wake up from that dream world
again. So, this movie really bases its theme on imagination even
though they believe the Matrix is reality. If you were to compare this
to a disorder it would be considered schizophrenia, these people in
cyber space are completely delusional as to what reality is.
imagination over dominates reality. During the movie, they have based
one of their theories on Alice in Wonderland; such as going down the
rabbit hole to get a taste of reality. Since Alice in Wonderland is an
imagination based story, Alice and Neo’s experience are rather
similar. Alice was able to fall into a deep sleep and later wakes up,
however Neo had an option. Neo was given two pills by Morpheus,
Morpheus says that if Neo chooses the red pill, he shall “stay in
wonderland and show him how deep the rabbit hole is” or if he takes
the blue pill “he will wake up and forget it all.” To Neo’s curiosity,
he took the red pill and was never to wake up from that dream world
again. So, this movie really bases its theme on imagination even
though they believe the Matrix is reality. If you were to compare this
to a disorder it would be considered schizophrenia, these people in
cyber space are completely delusional as to what reality is.
India K.
May 9, 2011, 12:12:08 PM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The matrix connects to many of the themes we studied through the
semester.(dorian grey, a beautiful mind, alice in wonderland) The
movie mainly has the theme of an alternate reality, which was a
recurring theme in our classes.
In terms of psychology we could diagnose the characters in the matrix
with all sorts of mental illness.
philosophy wise we can go for days analyzing the true meaning behind
everything.
semester.(dorian grey, a beautiful mind, alice in wonderland) The
movie mainly has the theme of an alternate reality, which was a
recurring theme in our classes.
In terms of psychology we could diagnose the characters in the matrix
with all sorts of mental illness.
philosophy wise we can go for days analyzing the true meaning behind
everything.
Berenice
May 9, 2011, 12:17:18 PM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
The Matrix can connect to philosophy when you discuss if the
environment is real or an illusion. It also questions us if what we
see in the real world is actually real. Other than having the mentally
that real things are stuff you can touch, feel, see, people consider
what is real if it can relate to their experiences. Reality also has
to do with the way humans learn which takes time whether it’s a couple
of minutes/hours or a week. Neo however is programmed to learn martial
so well in seconds……
environment is real or an illusion. It also questions us if what we
see in the real world is actually real. Other than having the mentally
that real things are stuff you can touch, feel, see, people consider
what is real if it can relate to their experiences. Reality also has
to do with the way humans learn which takes time whether it’s a couple
of minutes/hours or a week. Neo however is programmed to learn martial
so well in seconds……
Miss Willliams
May 9, 2011, 12:26:25 PM5/9/11
to The Matrix Group
One theme in The Matrix directly connect to pyschology, I wish to
note. In the stages where Neo is being trained by Morpheus, they start
fighting. Neo exemplifies a rather strong presence, which is heavily
marked by achievement motivation. Neo attempts to outperform Morpheus,
despite his obvious experience advantage. This is partially due to the
expectations leveled upon Neo,Neo is highly motivated to achieve.
Yet another aspect of fighting can be examined. As is apparent at this
point, combat is not just physical competition, it is all sorts of
mental, psychological, and physical facets. Another issue to consider
is that of aggression, a primarily emotive concept. Specifically, we
notice a presence of frustration-aggression hypothesis being shown in
the fight scene between Morpheus and Neo. Neo is obviously upset and
frustrated by his inability to conquer Morpheus. This causes Neo to
exert even more energy and concentration, which ultimately leads to
uncontrolled aggression. His end goal is compromised by this
aggression.
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