Reality or Fantasty

A paper in submission to Dr. Weathers PHIL 201-D19 LOU A response paper to the topic of, is reality real as discussed by Socrates, Descartes, and Cypher.

 

 

REALITY OR FANTASTY

 

 

 

 

 

A PAPER IN SUBMISSION TO

PHIL 201 D19

DR. R. WEATHERS

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ERIC FOURNIER

APRIL 22, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTROCUTION
2. CYPHER
3. SOCRATIES
4. DESCARTES
5. CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

Stuck in a reality that wasn’t actually reality would be a horrendous experience; this is exactly the topic of the three readings which were presented to compare and contrast for this paper.  Perhaps if one were to live in an altered reality, without knowing ever that they had been living anything other then what they perceived as truth; they would live blissfully.  However, perhaps the altered reality was the opposite?  For instance, what if the world that one lived in was much like the post apocalyptic world that Cypher awoke into, wouldn’t then one wish to escape to a reality where they had peace?  Or, perhaps like in the world that Plato created where the people’s existence who where fettered in the cave only saw and realized that shadows were the extent of all reality, then yes, perhaps it would be best for them to leave their existence to experience something new.  One can almost feel the curiosity and intrigue as well as fear and hatred that experiencing something fresh could arouse in the emotions.  The same exact emotions can be attributed to all three writings, but the best example is from Meditation I of The Things of Which We May Doubt  1 by Descartes; because Descartes ponders and describes one’s actions and feelings in trying to escape and realize if they are indeed in a false reality or not.  Descartes realized that it would be impossible to know for sure if indeed he could escape or even know if he had escaped from an altered reality.  Each situation would have situational effects on the people who experienced them and depending on the hope one perceives in their new reality would depend on their acceptance or rejection of the new reality introduced to them.  Therefore, one being offered a new reality, they would accept or reject it based off the overall benefit from the acceptance of the new in relation to the old; and for those who believe they are in an altered reality, it is impossible to ever know, or to escape it without an outside influence. 

CYPHER

The movie The Matrix concludes with one of the leading characters, Cypher claiming that it is better to live a false reality instead of living out the truth of their real reality.  2  Perhaps it is the post apocalyptic world that Cypher was awaken too, instead of living the good life which the master computer system offered to Cypher in exchange for details betraying Neo and Morpheus, which drove Cypher to the conclusion that it would be better to live an altered reality.  Undoubtedly, the trauma that Cypher experienced pushed his decision toward the wayward path of mutiny.   Who could blame him, torn from a comfy reality with perks and privileges, to awaken into a world where he is a hunted, almost extinct race of humans?  Cypher’s reality differed much from Plato’s description, but perhaps the Matrix laid out a more realistic reality then did Plato in his writing of The Allegory of the Cave. 3 

SOCRATIES

Plato’s world as described in The Allegory of the Cave existed because someone had decided to imprison individuals and to tether them in a cave where they would be subjected to only observing shadows for their entire life.  It was then argued that if these people were released from their bondage, that after going through deep changes, physically and mentally that the people would be over joyous for their revealed truth.  Much to Plato’s credit, a situation such as described would indeed in most cases bring about the reaction of joy as described in The Allegory of the Cave. 4

DESCARTES

Differing from The Matrix or The Allegory of the Cave; Meditation I of The Things of Which We May Doubt begins by declaring that Descartes now free of all cares of this current reality is now in search of understanding if indeed the reality he has lived is indeed truth, of if there exists a reality beyond the one he currently resides which either controls his, or is the real matter of truth. 5  Through self discovery and logical thinking Descartes declares that it would indeed be impossible to escape this reality without the help of an outside influence, and that if the reality in which he lived were really false it would be impossible to know if it were false or not.  Logic and science provides prime examples, in the reality that Descartes lived, 2+3 always equals 5, and through the laws of mathematics and physics it is impossible to come to any different conclusion.  Unless one found the loophole and could break the very fabric of the laws of nature, then one could never know if indeed the reality he lived in were false or true.  Although, all evidence which Descartes was presented as true and he deemed true, must be true to that reality, making it ever more difficult to accept or acknowledge anything as truth which conflicts with the truth of Descartes own reality. 

CONCLUSION

It is reasonable to say that anything which is presented as truth and can be proven is reality, such as taking five child blocks, putting two on one side and three on the opposite side; then taking inventory of those blocks one would find that two and three indeed do equal five when added together.  Anything beyond or below the figure of five would be incorrect, in this present reality.  Faith also relies on logic, Christ existed and is mentioned in the historical writings of Josephus, Christ claimed to be God, Christ was crucified for claiming to be God, scriptures prophesied that Christ would rise from the dead, Christ rose from the dead and again claimed to be God, Christ must be God.  In this reality, both the matters of addition and faith can be proven and shown to be fact.  It is impossible to see outside of these confined walls.  If one were ever to escape this reality, let’s hope they are ready to discover and learn as a babe would how to live as babes now do in this present reality, which is the truth as this reality knows it to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A Synopsis of The Matrix, bb7.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-20311259-dt-content-rid-

139973725_1/xid-139973725_1

 

Descartes, Rene. Excerpt from Meditations on First Philosophy: Meditation I of The

Things of Which We May Doubt, (1694) bb7.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-

20311261-dt-content-rid-139973740_1/xid-139973740_1

 

Excerpt of Plato’s. The Allegory of the Cave. bb7.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-20311260-

dt-content-rid-139973724_1/xid-139973724_1

 

 

 

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 1  Descartes, Rene. Excerpt from Meditations on First Philosophy: Meditation I of The Things of Which We May Doubt, (1694) bb7.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-20311261-dt-content-rid-139973740_1/xid-139973740_1

 2 A Synopsis of The Matrix, bb7.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-20311259-dt-content-rid-139973725_1/xid-139973725_1

 3 Excerpt of Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave. bb7.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-20311260-dt-content-rid-139973724_1/xid-139973724_1

 4 Excerpt of Plato’s. The Allegory of the Cave. bb7.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-20311260-dt-content-rid-139973724_1/xid-139973724_1

 5  Descartes, Rene. Excerpt from Meditations on First Philosophy: Meditation I of The Things of Which We May Doubt, (1694) bb7.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-20311261-dt-content-rid-139973740_1/xid-139973740_1