Like a Splinter in Your Mind: The Philosophy Behind the Matrix Trilogy [Paperback]

Matt Lawrence (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2004

Like a Splinter in Your Mind leads readers through the myriad of philosophical themes within the Matrix trilogy, helping them to gain a better understanding of the films and of philosophy itself.

• Offers a way into philosophy through the Matrix films.
  
• Covers thirteen of the biggest philosophical questions in thirteen self-sufficient chapters suitable for course use.
  
• Demonstrates how each of these questions is illustrated through the events and characters of the films.
  
• Considers whether sentient machines are possible, and whether we should expect them to face the same existentialist issues that we do.
  
• Familiarises readers with key issues in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, philosophy of mind, race and gender, existentialism, Taoism and mysticism.
  
• Includes a chapter that explains some of the technical elements of the films and confusing aspects of the plot.
  
• Also includes a Matrix glossary, and a cast of characters and their related symbolism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Given the wide variety of topics covered, the unique perspective, and the inviting style, Splinter truly is the book Matrix fans have been waiting for. As an introduction to philosophy, it's first-rate, both for fans of the trilogy, and even those who aren't." THEMATRIX101.COM

"The book is exceptionally well-organized: Lawrence has done a remarkable job of isolating the salient issues and examining them systematically, one by one, chapter by chapter, in a colloquial, witty style that enhances the accessibility of his method." The Boston Phoenix, Friday September 24, 2004

Book Description

Like a Splinter in Your Mind leads readers through the myriad philosophical themes within the Matrix trilogy, helping them to gain a better understanding of the films and of philosophy itself. The book examines 13 core philosophical problems and demonstrates how each is illustrated through the events and characters of the Matrix trilogy. We see how Morpheus manifests Kierkegaard's philosophy of faith; how libertarian, determinist, and compatibilist views of free will find expression in the characters of Neo, the Merovingian, and Ghost; and how Neo's belief in objective values is challenged by Agent Smith. The book focuses squarely on the Matrix films, with plenty of quotes and other tie-ins, but it is also packed with philosophical content. By the end of the book, readers will be well acquainted with key issues in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, philosophy of mind, race and gender, existentialism, Taoism, and mysticism.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell (July 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405125241
• ISBN-13: 978-1405125246
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #363,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My new book "Philosophy on Tap" pairs 48 philosophical puzzles (What is the sound of one glass clinking? Can God make a keg so big that He cannot lift it? etc.) with 48 distinctive beers from around the globe. It represents the kind of philosophical synthesis that happens when you drive by the Stone Brewery on your way to a meditation retreat.

Check out the official site: www.philosophyontap.com

While "Philosophy on Tap" puts philosophy into the craft beer experience, my first book, "Like a Splinter in Your Mind: The Philosophy Behind the Matrix Trilogy" pulls the philosophy out of the Matrix films. The Matrix is arguably one of the most philosophical films ever made. When you take the trilogy as a whole, I think that you will be hard pressed to find more philosophical issues explored in a single work of fiction. Needless to say, when I first saw The Matrix I felt compelled to write about all the philosophical connections and puzzles within it, and for ten years now I have drawn on the films to help teach the students of Long Beach City College about abstract philosophical concepts such as free will, fatalism, existentialim, hedonism, and functionalism.


EDUCATORS
Please feel free to explore my Introduction to Philosophy website at: http://faculty.lbcc.edu/mlawrence/ One of the many resources that you will find there is reading/discussion questions for each chapter of "Like a Splinter in Your Mind." Also, I have developed a Jeopardy style powerpoint game around the Matrix called "Agents vs. Rebels" which can be used for a really fun review session before an exam. If you would like a copy, or if you have any questions about how to use The Matrix in the classrooom, please contact me at the email address below.

Best wishes,

Matt Lawrence
[e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By far one of the best. . . ., October 11, 2004

By 

M. Glover (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Like a Splinter in Your Mind: The Philosophy Behind the Matrix Trilogy (Paperback)

Immediately after the first Matrix film came out, a tidal wave of books, articles, and essays were published discussing the philosophical issues in the film. Unfortunately, most of these works were very shallow, not going much deeper than observing that "The Matrix" could be seen as a modern-day remake of Descartes' arguments for doubt.


What sets Lawrence's book apart from other commentaries on the Matrix and philosophy is that he tackles a wide variety of philosophical issues and addresses them in a very thorough but accessible way. This book can indeed be understood by those with no background in philosophy, but Lawrence goes beyond the norm in the "Matrix and Philosophy" genre and makes the reader critically examine her or his own beliefs with great scrutiny.

What also sets Lawrence's book apart from others of its kind is that it addresses the philosophical issues presented in all three of the Matrix films, whereas most of the "Philosophy of the Matrix" stuff out there will focus only on the first film, despite the fact that the philosophical ground is just as fertile in the latter 2 films as it is in the first.

Lawrence ably discusses epistemology, metaphysics, foreknowledge, race and gender, ethics, and other philosophical issues. This book will also help you appreciate the films more, because he breaks down and analyzes dialogue and events in the films that sometimes go by too quickly. For example, Lawrence does a better job of interpreting the Architect than the Architect does.

Overall, this book is by far one of the best in the expansive "Matrix and Philosophy" genre. This is definitely one to pick up for anyone looking to understand the Matrix films a little more, or to anyone looking for an accessible entry into the study of philosophy.

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best "Matrix and Philosophy" Book out there, November 30, 2004

By 

A Dude (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Like a Splinter in Your Mind: The Philosophy Behind the Matrix Trilogy (Paperback)

This is the sixth book on the Matrix films that I have read, and by far the best. It examines the philosophical questions that the films raise intellegently and with clarity. It is also not "preachy" as many of the other books on the films are. As in the films, the author presents both sides of the debate, and leaves the reader to "make up his own damn mind". I believe that this is true to the spirit of the Wachowskis' work.

An excellent and engaging read that will leave you with more substantative backing to the important questions in life.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reads Just Like An Engaging Story, August 24, 2004

By 

Cheryl Schuck - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Like a Splinter in Your Mind: The Philosophy Behind the Matrix Trilogy (Paperback)

Who am I, What am I, Why am I here, and What is all this "stuff" all about? What is really "real"? How can I know what is "real"? Do I have free will? Am I "really" free to make and exert control over my choices or is fate predetermining everything, including writing this review? Is there a spirit, a soul, a mind or is it all just inside my brain?

"Like a splinter in your mind," questions, questions, and even more ponderous questions begin to emerge as you begin to delve and to dig for answers into what philosophers, and the like, have been exploring, debating, and writing about since time immemorial. Unlike the cumbersome philosophic-type writings of the past (those whose writings make you feel like you're being forced to run through a maze while being hit up side the head with a 2 x 4), however, Lawrence's straight-forward, to the distilled point approach removes the erected barriers of the past and opens the maze through clarity and insight.

Whether you're a "beginner," or need a refresher in what all that "stuff" is about, this is one "philosophy" book that is immediately accessible to all-you do not need to have seen the movie-I haven't--to follow or to understand this refreshingly engaging, reads just like a story, book.

On my view, the mark of any great philosopher is one who can take those deeply ponderous and complex questions and then present them in such a way that enables the reader to think and to explore the actual questions rather than having to think about figuring out, "what is the point, what are you trying to say, and just what am I supposed to be thinking about"-Lawrence's book bears the mark of "great" philosophy.