The Ontological Hierarchy, Virtual/Real Duality and Quest for Freedom in The Matrix

• Main Authors: Hsin-Chang Yu, 游信章
• Other Authors: Frank W. Stevenson
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/32022624416428591589

碩士 === 中國文化大學 === 英國語文學系 === 98 === This thesis presents an interpretation of the ground-breaking 2000 film The Matrix in terms of religious themes (Gnosticism and Buddhism), Plato’s ontological hierarchy in The Republic, and Baudrillard’s theory of simulacra and hyperreality. In Chapter 1 the reading via religion, with the main emphasis on Buddhism, emphasizes Neo’s role as the One, a sort of savior (Christ or Bodhisattva) figure who ultimately will sacrifice himself to save the freed citizens of Zion, and also his “transcendence” to a higher level of reality, now seen in terms of Buddhist meditation, non-duality and enlightenment. In Chapter 2 the reading via Plato focuses on the role of logic, with absolute Goodness and Truth being correlated with the Oneness of an encompassing logical unity. This reading is parallel to but more “rational” than the Buddhist interpretation of the film. In Chapter 3, the Baudrillardian approach sees the virtual world of the Matrix as signifying our contemporary postmodern culture with its many simulacra (false or empty images) and the all-pervasive power of illusion, or what Baudrillard calls hyperreality. All three readings, but most obviously the third, point to the fact that this film should serve as a wake-up call for us.