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Dualism In The Matrix

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The core theme of mind and body is presented throughout the movie, The Matrix. Morpheus, the leader of the resistance, explains to Neo (also known as “The One”) that the “reality” perceived by Neo is actually “a computer-generated dream world…a neural interactive simulation”, which is known as the matrix. Reality, the perception as we know it, in actual fact, is a simulated reality created by machines to subjugate the human race. Throughout the movie, those against the resistance are hooked up to a machine that brings their mind to the simulated reality. Their physical bodies are hooked up to machines in the actual reality whereas their mind is sent to this simulated reality, making it feel as real and tricking your mind to think that you are present in this …show more content…
In these scenes, dualism is clearly presented. Thus, calls into question on whether or not the mind and the body can exist without one another. Two philosophers, Arthur Schopenhauer and René Descartes came up with individual theories on the mind and body dualism.
Arthur Schopenhauer saw the world as will and representation. He believed that we experience everything in the universe by its external aspects rather than their internal nature. The only thing we know internally is our own bodies, thus showing a connection between the mind-body dualism. Since he had a pessimistic worldview, he thought the world was full of illusions. This view relates to The Matrix because Morpheus describes to Neo that the world as we see it, is actually a dream world compared

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