Matrix & Plato and Descartes 1

Matrix & Plato and Descartes

Sarah Dolan
Liberty University

Matrix & Plato and Descartes 2
There are many similarities and a few differences between The Matrix and Plato and Descartes.
The big similarity between the three is deception. In the Matrix they are a bunch of bodys inside
machines where they are basically experiencing a virtual life or an illusion of the world. In The
Allegory of The Cave by Plato they are in a cave in which the only reality they see is the
shadows of things passing by. In Meditation I of The Things of Which We May Doubt by
Descartes, which talks about your sense and how they can mislead or deceive a person and that
there, is an uncertainty about ones beliefs. There are many similarities between the Matrix and
Platos writing in that there is an escape from the place that they are held within and they both
talk about sense and emotion. The differences between Matrix and the writings of Plato and
Descartes is they all seemed to take place within a different time period and include differences
in technology for example. The Matrix has a lot to do with computer where as Platos writing has
to do with being in front of a fire possibly in a cave.
Can we prove the world that we are experiencing is real? This is a tough question as an
individual I dont think we can prove what we are experiencing is real. I sometimes hear the
comment from my friends who are not believers in Christ ask, How do you know God is real?
This is almost a similar question in that I believe he is real based on biblical evidence and who
does it really hurt if I do believe that God is real. I rather have faith that He is real and find out
He is not, then never believe in Him at all and find out He is real. It is the same way with the
world I just believe it is real based on I am here might as well live the life God wants me too here
even if it turns out to be a fake.
Can we ever be certain that our beliefs are true? While we are on Earth in out earthly
bodies it is not ever possible to be certain if our beliefs are true, but that that doesnt mean we
have to give up our beliefs because of uncertainty. Life is filled with uncertainties, but that
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doesnt mean that we give up believing you can preform a task even if it is uncertain if you can
fulfill the task at hand. As I stated above I have many friends who dont follow Christ, but I
never sway from what I believe because there are other things in life that can cause uncertainties.
There can be uncertainties in more things then just your belief, but also things in everyday as far
as car accidents, death, and even daily activities.
In conclusion, there were many similarities and a few differences between the Matrix and
Plato and Descartes. There is no way of proving that the world that we are experiencing is real
and while we are on the Earth there is no way to be certain that our beliefs are true. Even if the
world is not real and we cant be certain of out beliefs continue believing because what do you
have to lose with a world full of uncertainties, but you cant let that stop you from living how
you want to live and believing what you want to believe.





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References

Descartes, R. (1990). Meditations on First Philosophy: Meditation I of The Things of Which We
May Doubt. Raleigh, NC: Alex Catalogue.
Plato., & Allen, R. E. (2006). The Republic: The Allegory of The Cave. New Haven: Yale
University Press.
Wachowski, Andy, and Lana Wachowski. The Matrix. Directed by Andy Wachowski and Lana
Wachowski. Los Angeles: Warner Bros. Pictures, 1999.