Philosophers Explore The Matrix [Paperback]

Christopher Grau (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0195181077 | ISBN-13: 978-0195181074

The Matrix trilogy is unique among recent popular films in that it is constructed around important philosophical questions--classic questions which have fascinated philosophers and other thinkers for thousands of years. Editor Christopher Grau here presents a collection of new, intriguing essays about some of the powerful and ancient questions broached by The Matrix and its sequels, written by some of the most prominent and reputable philosophers working today. They provide intelligent, accessible, and thought-provoking examinations of the philosophical issues that support the films.

Philosophers Explore The Matrix includes an introduction that surveys the use of philosophical ideas in the film. Topics that the contributors tackle include: how a collaborative dream could differ from hallucination, the difference between the Matrix and the "real" world; why living in the Matrix would be considered "bad"; the similarities between the Matrix and Plato's Cave; the moral status of artificially created beings, whether one can behave immorally in illusory circumstances, and the true nature of free will and responsibility. This volume also includes an appendix of classic philosophical writing on these issues by Plato, Berkeley, Descartes, Putnam, and Nozick.

Philosophers Explore The Matrix will fascinate any fan of the films who wants to delve deeper into their themes, as well as any student of philosophy who desires an accessible entry into this challenging and profoundly vital world of ideas.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Philosophers Explore The Matrix is of great value to students of philosophy who have already decided to see how far the rabbit hole goes, and, as Grau suggests, want to go a bit deeper. To that end, Philosophers Explore The Matrix is a noteworthy and respectable contribution to philosophy."--The Journal of Value Inquiry

"A broad and diverse collection...the book is a great success."--Alex Bussey Thames Valley University

"Several volumes have emerged since the film was released offering discussions of the philosophical issues that arise out of the film (and its sequels), but Grau's collection is by far the best...fans of the film with an interest in philosophy should without hesitation procure a copy-- Grau's collection features leading contemporary philosophers discussing some of the most exciting issues in philosophy, at a level accessible to any intelligent non-philosopher."-- Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"This book is a rare thing: an anthology on a highly popular topic that actually includes many intellectually excellent contributions, and is at the same time engaging and intelligible to the non-academic public."--Ned Block, New York University

"This is an excellent collection by well-known philosophers ...uniformly intelligent, and well-written. The volume constitutes a genuinely excellent route into the subject. Amateurs who enjoyed the movie in part because it got them thinking about deep issues will be challenged by the book, and they will profit considerably from working through it." --Gideon Rosen, Princeton University

About the Author

Christopher Grau is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Clemson University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195181077
• ISBN-13: 978-0195181074
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely one of the best volumes on the Matrix Trilogy, October 7, 2005

By 

T. A. Smedes (Nijmegen, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philosophers Explore The Matrix (Paperback)

This book is undoubtedly one of the best volumes on the philosophical ideas underlying the three Matrix movies.

The book is what was to be expected from Oxford University Press: high quality. Not only are the articles written by well-known philosophers such as James Pryor, Colin McGinn, Hubert Dreyfus, David Chalmers, Andy Clark, and Kevin Warwick (to name just a few), but they are also of outstanding quality. (Besides, unlike many other books, this book deals with all three Matrix films!)

Every article touches on many delicate philosophical (and sometimes religious) aspects of the three Matrix films, but though the philosophy is deep and sometimes counterintuitive, the authors are able to explain the philosophical intricacies with a minimal use of jargon - thus making this a highly accessible volume for a wide audience.

The book also offers (in the Appendix) a selection from the classic philosophical texts that inspired the makers of the Matrix trilogy.

It is a book that makes you really wonder: what if it all were true...? What if the review you are now reading is not really there? What if... If you read this book, you will never watch The Matrix again in the same way. Highly recommended!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It makes you think...., March 30, 2009

By 

GreenLantern (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophers Explore The Matrix (Paperback)

I am a big fan of the Matrix trilogy, and I bought this book on a whim just to see what schooled philosophers had to say about the Matrix. I was really surprised by the quality of the writings in this book. You don't really even need to be a fan of the Matrix to appreciate the thought provoking material contained in this book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to the Matrix, May 15, 2008

By 

Luis Nakajo - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophers Explore The Matrix (Paperback)

Very few of these books based on popular series have something truly useful and witty to say. This book by OUP is undoubtly one of these. Differently from others, it's not another greedy and shallow explorer of an audience intrigued by the colateral meanings of the trilogy.

The essays are easily read, philosophical thoughts are rendered legible (but not simplified to the point of getting innocuous). It's a very good intro to the most pressing questions of western philosophy, such as knowledge, cognition and even ethics -the very same questions that have been "bothering" men throughout history and have come to a delicate point in post-modern times.

I highly recommend it.