The Matrix movie uses the image of Neo waking up to introduce the main character. The purpose of this awakening is to give the impression that Thomas Anderson is actually in the real world, not dreaming. However, after going out clubbing, he finds himself waking up again as he turns off his alarm. Interestingly, there is no scene showing Neo physically going to bed in the film. The movie creates an artificial environment around the main character, leading to a debate influenced by René Descartes’ Meditations on Philosophy. One wonders if Neo is either dreaming or being deceived by an evil demon. While evidence supports both possibilities and we cannot be metaphysically certain of either, the prevailing and clearer indication is that Neo is drifting away into a dream world. This is conveyed through the movie’s dialogue, lighting, and other editorial aspects.
Agent Smith primarily mentions that Neo has “been living two lives”. This statement can be interpreted as implying that Neo has been involved in some kind of con (and indeed, he does seem to have two separate identities prior to Morpheus recruiting him). However, Agent Smith’s words could also suggest that Neo has been dreaming. There is a connection between this scene and Descartes’ assertion that “there are no definite signs by which waking can be distinguished from sleeping”, as Neo wakes up twice at the beginning of the film without us seeing him fall asleep (Descartes 13). This creates confusion about whether Neo is dreaming and “strengthens the idea that [he] might be asleep” because the audience becomes uncertain about Neo’s level of consciousness.
The lighting used in the film is another piece of evidence supporting the fact that Neo’s mind functions in a state of sleep. In most scenes, the colors are similar, making it difficult to discern between objects. This creates a vague appearance, similar to what we experience in dreams. The interrogation of Neo in the white room is a prime example of this dream-like illusion. The walls are indistinguishable and lack definition. Another example is the great white space surrounding Morpheus and Neo, where Neo believes everything is completely real. It is worth noting that Descartes also experiences this illusion in his dreams, where he has the same experiences as madmen who believe they are kings when awake. However, unlike a madman, Neo lived a normal life before Morpheus contacted him and was fully conscious of his reality, as evident from his ability to maintain an office job and function in society.
However, Morpheus engages in dialogue with Neo and offers him two pills, red and blue, while trying to convince him to join his side. Morpheus describes the blue pill as one that would cause Neo to “wake up in [his] own bed” and return to his normal life. It is significant to note Morpheus’ choice of words – he does not mention “reality” or being set free, but emphasizes waking up. This implies that if there is a possibility for Neo to wake up in his own bed, he must be dreaming. Therefore, if he is not awake, he must be dreaming. Additionally, throughout the film, we do not witness Neo waking up in his own bed after the initial instances. Since he does not wake up later in the movie and Morpheus implies that he is dreaming, it suggests that Neo is dreaming throughout the entire film.
Next, the dreamer, from a scientific standpoint, will experience “illogical […] thought”, “fully formed [sensation]”, and “uncritical acceptance” of their surroundings while in this state (Schacter 196). Neo can serve as a prime example of these occurrences. He doesn’t spend time contemplating the reality of the Matrix. Instead, he simply accepts what Morpheus tells him. Additionally, Neo encounters a dream-like situation at the office where he is being pursued by the Agents. However, he never questions their motives and instead accepts the situation and attempts to flee. The fully formed perception aspect of dreams is quite evident. In fact, Descartes himself acknowledges this in his First Meditation when he states that even when he stretches out his hand and feels it while awake, he still cannot determine if he is dreaming solely based on sensation, indicating that his sense of perception in dreams is as sharp as it is in waking reality.
It is reasonable to argue that there may be a malicious demon attempting to deceive Neo, as Descartes suggests. Descartes claims that everything in the world is a delusion, created by the demon to ensnare our judgment. This idea aligns with Morpheus’ attempt to show Neo the true nature of the world and challenge his beliefs. However, it is important to note that scientists also identify uncritical acceptance of one’s surroundings as a characteristic of dreams. Despite questioning the reality of the world, Neo ultimately accepts Morpheus’ explanations without hesitation. Descartes further compares himself to a prisoner enjoying imaginary freedom while asleep, which parallels Morpheus’ assertion that Neo is born into a prison he cannot physically experience. This suggests that Morpheus is claiming Neo has entered a dream world unknowingly.Thus, while there is substantial evidence in favor of the Evil Demon argument, it can be easily countered by examining the abundance of clues supporting the Dream argument.
In The Matrix, the evidence supporting the Dream argument, as Descartes considered dreams as a possible cause for doubting all his former beliefs, is evident in the dialogue, lighting, and Neo’s actions. By closely examining the dialogue in the film, one can draw connections between what the characters say and Descartes’ First Meditation. This evidence suggests that Neo is dreaming, experiencing a lifelike environment. While it is possible for an evil demon to deceive Neo, the likelihood is low due to the lack of evidence. Ultimately, the dream-like aspect of Neo’s experience in the movie provides more convincing support and a clearer demonstration of his state of mind, leading to the logical conclusion that Neo is dreaming.
Works Cited
Descartes, René, and John Cottingham. Meditations on First Philosophy: With Selections from the Objections and Replies. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1996. Print. The Matrix. Dir. Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski. Perf. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss. 1999. Schacter, Daniel, Daniel Gilbert, and Daniel Wegner. Psychology. 2nd ed. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
