Matrix Fate or Free Will

The Oracle

The Matrix makes a better case for fate for a few reasons. For one, the Oracle practically gives each character their fate when they go to see her. She tells them what will happen later on whether it's good or bad news. Specifically, she tells Neo that he isn't the one but is still searching for something. This turns out to be true when Neo realizes what he has to do to be The One and save Morpheus. Similarly, she tells Trinity she will fall in love with the one. This shows a stronger case for fate because Trinity admits to loving Neo as he is dying, yet he comes back to life and fulfills the prophecy. Morpheus was told that he would find the The One and searches his entire life trying to find it. When it looks like Neo isn't it, he can't believe he missed out again. However, Neo morphs into The One and the Oracle was once again correct on her predictions. None of these characters could really do anything to make the predictions come true, the just happened. Therefore, The Matrix relies on fate rather than free will.

Trinity, The One, and Morpheus

   

Lord of the Rings and Nietzsche

1.)
Frodo Baggins- Most definitely the easiest character to choose, Frodo clearly exemplifies someone in the Ubermensch. To start, Frodo accepts the Ring from Bilbo well knowing the dangers it possess. Frodo was not afraid to take a risk and help his friend. Also, later on, after the Elves save him from a stab wound Frodo volunteers to take the Ring to Mt. Doom to destroy it. Not only is he risking his life, but he is basically ensured death on this mission. A person in the Ubermensch has to rise above the ideals of everyone else and create new values. Frodo does this by putting the lives of thousands of others before himself by creating the fellowship. Lastly, Frodo shows he is in this stage by going alone to continue the journey. When he realizes the power will draw everybody around him to evil, he ventures off alone to complete the mission.

Frodo & Aragorn

Aragorn- Not as obvious but undoubtedly a character in the Ubermensch, Aragorn repeatedly puts himself in the line of fire for the well being of the group. The unoffcial leader of the fellowship, Aragorn is the most trained and most physically able to defend others out of everyone. For instance, he saves Frodo and Sam from being killed by the 9 Riders. Additionally, at the conclusion of the movie, he convinces Frodo to leave and continue by himself. This shows he understands that he would be much safer without them and that he is above the common idea of others.

The creature Gollum

2.) This post is much harder but I'd have to say that Saruman and Gollum are two characters that aren't in the Ubermensch. These two characters do not rise above rather they conform to popular belief and are sucked into an unrewarding lifestyle. Saruman betrays Gandalf because he lost hope in everyone else and figures the only way to stay alive is to join the evil ranks. Gollum on the other hand, is addicted to the power of the Ring and follows it around everywhere. He is dependent on the Ring and cannot break free from the hold it has on him. Therefore, he is not in the Ubermensch because he totally relies on the Rings power.

Saruman using the power of the Ring

Nietzsche's Camel, Lion, and Child

     The camel in this case represents the most difficult time in the metamorphosis of the spirit. Like the reading states the spirit, "kneels down like a camel to be well loaded." This basically means the spirit is being refreshed and ready to change, similar to a camel after drinking water. Once this happens the lion is present. The lion is the symbol of action and courageousness to change, "who would conquer his freedom and master his own desert." The lion must fight the dragon in this stage and prove his worthiness to change. The dragon represents all the values that have been created and is unwilling to allow the lion to create his own. The lion must fight the dragon to ensure freedom so that others like him won't be under the dragons rule. Finally, the child is needed because it has innocence and forgetting that can allow for a new beginning. This allows the spirit to have control over his own will and the ability "to conquer the world".

The lion and dragon fighting

Mini-Blog

Pic

Plato's Cave is meant to describe the human journey. We start out as prisoners in our own life as we don't understand the point of our existence. Then people, like parents and teachers, try to show us the correct path to take in our lives. This is represented by the puppet showmen guiding our lives. However, the only way to overcome this endless cycle is to take a difficult path that might not end successfully. This is the only way to reach our true potential and live fulfilling lives. The sunlight in Plato's Cave represents this stage and is the point where people pity everyone else yet to discover themselves.

Truman Show Blog

     In the movie The Truman Show, Truman (played by Jim Carey) slowly realizes that his life isn't what it seems. Multiple instances reveal that he is being watched and that his life is practically fake. Everyone he knows is an actor and his playing a specific role in Truman's life. Truman doesn't realize this because it has been happening all his life. One woman in particular, keeps Truman from settling down, as she was a cast member that went against what the script had in store. This motivation fuels Truman to discover the creepy truth about his life.
     As the viewers find out quickly, Truman's life is a television show that is streamed non-stop to the rest of the country. A huge dome is built somewhere and its the fake reality Truman lives in. We learn later on that Christof, the creator of the show, is in charge of everything that goes on in his life. In this case Christof is the deceiver because he is responsible for Truman's false identity. Like Descartes idea, the deceiver is in charge of installing fake things in a persons life. In this case, Truman's entire lifestyle is fake as everything was precisely designed to shape his life.
     Throughout the movie Truman struggles to understand what is real and what isn't. He ends up realizing that everything is fake and that nobody can be trusted. However, similar to what Descartes stated, Truman can trust he is real because he knows he exists. Although it sounds strange, Truman has to trust himself and his instincts because he is the only that is genuine. To figure out the truth Truman must overcome everything he has ever known and do what feels right. This is a challenge because he doesn't know anything else, yet he must take a chance in order to have his questions answered. Truman does in fact do this and ends up saving himself from misery for the rest of his life.   

Buddhism

     When Phil Connors sees he is stuck in time on Groundhog Day, he isn't too happy. He made it clear beforehand that he hated the small town and wanted to get in-and-out as soon as possible. When the day keeps happening and he can't find a way out, Phil becomes extremely depressed, even to the point he tries to kill himself. However, once he understands he can't leave Punxsutawney he decides to end his suffering and be nicer to people.One thing I noticed relates to the Second Noble Truth and Phil's suffering. He wanted desperately to leave just so he could go back to his hometown and be the hot-shot weatherman. His desire, and attachment to leave caused his suffering because he never gave the town a chance, he thought he was too good for those people. He became frustrated when he couldn't leave and couldn't find a way out. Although, this changes when he learns to give back to all the people he once loathed or didn't care about. For instance, Phil buys basically all the insurance there is off of Ned Ryerson, even though he was annoying him numerous times before. Also, Phil saves a man he never met before from choking. This shows that he forgot about his ego and learned to be a help to others in the town. Finally, when Phil learned to accept that he will never leave is the same time he started being nice to people. Like the Third Noble Truth states, "Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases." Phil realizes he'll never go back home so his suffering ceases, and then he turns out to be a great guy that helps many people out. Because of his kind actions, Phil becomes Enlightened and is content with his life.

Stages of Grief

Stage: Denial
Event: Hears same radio announcement, looks out his hotel room window and sees same car turning the corner, is in disbelief.
Explanation: At first Phil thinks the radio station is just playing the wrong audio, however that changes when he looks out his window and sees exactly what he saw yesterday. Doesn't believe it until the day turns out exactly the same as the day before.

Stage: Anger
Event: Punching Ned

Ned greeting Phil

Explanation: During his reliving of Groundhog Day Phil meets up with an "old friend" named Ned. Very quickly we learn Ned is energetic yet annoying and tries to talk to Phil about everything in his life. Phil escapes this encounter by scurrying off but not before stepping into a muck-filled pothole. As the day keeps happening over and over Phil tries different ways to avoid Ned. However, one day before they even get a chance to talk, Phil socks him in the face, not wanting to go through the process again, and clearly showing his anger about his current state.

Stage: Bargaining
Event: Phil stealing the money
Explanation: According to psychcentral.com bargaining is " the reaction to helplessness and vulnerability is a need to regain control." At this point, Phil understands the day is repeating itself and knows every little detail that happens in the town and uses this to his advantage. He sees a money delivery being interrupted by a waitress from the local diner. Phil times it just right where nobody is paying attention, and he avoids getting struck by a car to walk over and take the money. We later see he used this money to rent a limo, and buy a cowboy outfit to go see a movie. Phil wanted to take back some control in his life when he stole the money, so he could feel happy again and forget about the helpless state he's in.

Stage: Depression
Event: Attempting to commit suicide

One of the many ways Phil tries to kill himself.

Explanation: Sick of reliving the same day and finding no other way to escape this nightmare, Phil tries to kill himself. The only problem is he wakes up the next day just like every other day before that. He tries multiple different ways ranging from driving off a cliff to jumping off a building, but none of these work as he still wakes up exactly the same. Phil is so depressed because he sees no end to this cycle and wants to move on, but there just isn't a possible way.




Stage: Acceptance
Event: Being nice to Larry, and Rita
Explanation: After his failed attempts to end his life, Phil realizes that he might as well change his ways if he's going to be stuck here forever. Before this whole thing, Phil was a jerk to almost everybody and he only cared about himself. However, after an emotional talk with Rita he comes to the conclusion that he isn't a nice guy. As a result he starts treating others around town with more respect. For instance, he brings Larry and Rita coffee and donuts before the shoot, he builds an ice sculpture, changes an old lady's tire and even plays the piano at a community party. Phil realizes that even though he may never leave this day in time, he is making others feel appreciated and enjoying the effort he puts in. This causes Rita to change her feelings towards Phil and they end up spending the night together. Much to Phil's enjoyment, when the clock strikes 6:00 am, she is right there beside him.

The curse is over

Hobbes and Hunger Games

Philosopher Hobbes

     According to Hobbes chaos or a "state of nature" is present when "there is a lack of authority and there exists a perpetual state of war". In the Hunger Games movie, it could be argued both ways that a state of nature exists.Hobbes even says "To this war of every man against every man this also is consequent, that nothing can be unjust". There are many factors that can support each claim so in my opinion, I don't think there is a right or wrong viewpoint.

Cornucopia Bloodbath

     To start, the Hunger Games show this idea when all the tributes enter the arena. In it there are no laws, and no justice system. Each person is free to do whatever it takes to stay alive and win the Games, including killing others. Hobbes stated, "Where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice".  This applies directly to the Games because there is no central power, rather everyone is on their own trying to stay alive. Therefore, nobody is breaking any laws if there are none to begin with. Also, Hobbes talks about a state of war, which is pretty self explanatory, that is evident in the movie. The best example is at the beginning when half of the tributes are killed near the Cornucopia. The scene is similar to a war battle because people are being brutally murdered and bodies lying all over the ground. 

Gamesmaker lounge

     On the opposite side of the argument, the Games are controlled by the Capitol and are designed to kill the tributes. In fact, there is a person in charge of monitoring the entire Games called the Gamesmaker, and Seneca Crane had this job. They had this huge screen that showed where every tribute was and what they were doing at that time. They could also create scenarios to influence the decisions of the tributes. For instance, they created a large fire to move Katniss towards the other group. This aspect isn't a state of nature because the Capitol is controlling what happens inside the arena. Additionally, before the Games actually begin, each of the tributes get treated like they are celebrities and are given luxurious things. Katniss and Peeta are brought to the Capitol on a train with what looks like a buffet of food, and once they get there they stay in a penthouse suite. Quite the opposite treatment of what one would originally think before fighting it out to the death. The Capitol just wants to put on a good show as well as send a message to each of the districts.