Comparing The Matrix And Plato's Allegory Of The Cave

The Matrix and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave are both shared knowledge, which guide our perceptions and ideas. The question to ask ourselves is to what ‘extent’ should this ‘shared knowledge’ carve on our mindset or personal knowledge. The allegory and The Matrix, both revolve around the same notion - “What is real?”. The question that crosses my mind first is that, is it ethical to make other people believe in something that is not real? Is it okay to manipulate someone’s belief and show them a picture which does not really exist in reality? Both in the Matrix and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave it clearly demonstrates that the ‘reality’ can be hampered. If I put myself in place of one of the prisoners, I ask my self that can we be sure that the …show more content…
For example, It’s easy to create the different shadows using our hands and show things that actually isn’t there such as a bird flying or a dog barking. On the other hand, how can I be sure that I am really living in the reality or are the things around me just a figment of my imagination. Both these ‘shared knowledge’ have been a topic of fiery discussion for philosophers since years.

In The Matrix, the humans are trapped inside the world that is been created and run by the machine. And similarly in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, the prisoners are trapped inside in the real world but cannot differentiate between each other. The main similarity that can be drawn up is – distinction between reality and the life they are living or trapped in. The people expressing life in both the cave and in the matrix face is …show more content…
I spotted some problems like- if they were in the cave from birth how did they learn any language or formed one language. Plato does not mention how he keeps the prisoners alive without food and water and if they were given food and water “how?”, because they were not able to move their head. The other question that arises is that, the prisoners are surrounded by just two to three colors all their lives- the color of the wall, celling and skin. Once they step out of the cave, how do they distinguish between the rest of the colors and the ones they were familiar with. Doesn’t this whole situation question their own beliefs and notions? Both make us to think that are we in the real world. I think that both these stories or the truth show us how the people react when they go through to the same conditions, and they also make us think more critically and analyze our perceptions. I feel one needs to analyze each aspect carefully before making any choice as there are different consequences for each choice one makes. I think that the Matrix is a modern version of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave with human emotions and choices. This quote by The Oracle “The heart never speaks, but you must listen to it to know” This quote connected with me because it is relevant in whichever situation you are