Philosophy of the Matrix

Rating: 10/10 (21 June 2002)

SPOILER ALERT. I love the great action, the look of the film, the sound, the music, the detail, the DVD commentaries, and certain particularly fabulous scenes of the Matrix. But after that, I love the philosophy and theology built into it. Do a web search for Matrix and philosophy and you will find that several philosophy teachers use it in courses. Some even have a course something like Philosophy in the Matrix.

For those of you who have had an Introduction to Philosophy course, you will find in the Matrix (though perhaps unintended) references/parallels to Berkeley's rejection of matter, Plato's allegory of the cave, etc. Also, The Matrix Revisited DVD says that there will be much more philosophy in the next two films.
There is also, of course, a very strong messianic storyline. But notice that Trinity (God) is the one who raises Neo (the One) from the dead. After he is resurrected, he is all powerful and is able to see things for what they truly are. The enemy thought he was defeating the One by killing him, but that only provided him an opportunity to win the war. Further, Zion (commonly used in Judaeo/Christian literature metaphorically for heaven) is the ideal place, the oasis for human beings.
There is more to it than this, but consider watching The Matrix again with these thoughts in mind.