Mind over Matter
The belief that reality is fundamentally mental rather than physical.
What is Idealism?
This belief argues that only physical matter exists and everything, including thoughts, can be explained in physical terms.
What is Materialism?
The indescribable concept of absence.
What is Nothing?
The concepts of the Matrix parallel this famous philosophical allegory.
What is Plato's Allegory of the Cave?
This modern hypothesis suggests that our reality could be artificial, created by advanced beings.
What is Simulation Theory?
This Irish philosopher argued that objects only exist if they are perceived (but of course everything is perceived by God...)
Who is George Berkeley?
This ancient Greek philosopher proposed that reality is composed entirely of tiny, indivisible particles.
Who is Democritus?
0/0 = ?
What is Nothing? (Not 0)
This phrase recently used a lot in modern politics and conspiracy theories, originated in The Matrix, refers to awakening from a false reality.
What is "Taking the Red Pill."
The brain in a vat scenario is a modern version of this philosopher’s Evil Demon Hypothesis.
Who is Rene Descartes?
This Prussian argued that our brains fundamentally change our perception of reality (much like colour tinted sunglasses)
Who is Immanuel Kant?
This grouchy 17th-century philosopher argued that the universe is a giant machine governed by physical laws.
Who is Thomas Hobbes?
In 1929, this German philosopher argued that "nothing" is key to human existence and revealed through existential anxiety.
Who is Martin Heidegger?
Cypher gives this reason for betraying his friends and choosing to return to the Matrix and forget the truth.
What is "Ignorance is Bliss"?
This philosophical problem questions whether objects continue to exist when no one perceives them.
What is Tree in the Woods?
Plato argued that reality consists of these perfect, non-physical entities.
What are Forms?
This French Philosopher argued that if someone had complete knowledge of the universe's current state then they could predict the entire evolution of the world and understand all of its past.
Who is Pierre Laplace?
A leading figure in logical positivism (a school of thought that argued the only meaningful philosophical problems are those which can be solved by logical analysis), this philosopher dismissed Heidegger’s talk of "nothing" as meaningless pseudo-statements.
Who is Rudolf Carnap?
A Beautiful Mind raises questions about perception and reality, connecting it to this philosophical theory that questions whether we can trust our senses.
What is Skepticism?
A famous argument by this man, against the brain in a vat scenario, claims that if we were in one, we could not meaningfully refer to “brains” or “vats” as we would not truly know what those are.
Who is Hilary Putnam?
Bishop Berkeley famously said, "To be is to be perceived" or "esse est percipi," summarizing this particular brand of Idealism.
What is Subjective Idealism?
This ancient Indian school of thought argued that it could not be proven that a God exists, therefore arguing atheism in a very spiritual time and place.
What is Charvaka?
This geographically termed philosophical movement, opposed by Carnap, draws from literature, history, and existential thought rather than strict logic.
What is Continental Philosophy?
Nash confirms for himself that his hallucinations are not real when he notices this inconsistency.
What is that his hallucinations do not age?
The main twist in "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" questions what underpinning concept of metaphysics?
What is Reality?