MATRIX (The)
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 2027 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Human sciences, Epistemology, ontology or semantics |
L.H. KAUFFMAN writes that this film “is a cinematic exercise in virtual reality and virtual logic”(1999, p. 65)
It could also be said that it is an animated metaphor of probably quite basic characteristics of human societies. Kauffman describes it as follows: The Matrix is all around you. It is in the air you breathe, in the ground you walk on, in the sights you see and in the feelings that you feel. You yourself are composed of it just as much as it is composed of you“ (Ibid)…and of course, of all humans.
- “You imagine yourself to be an observer independent of the Matrix, but the very possibility of your observation , your sense of Self and World is produced by the Matrix.
- “One might say that the Matrix observes itself, but that would be overstepping the bounds of language , for the very act of saying that ”it“ observes ”itself“ presupposes a split between the observed and the observer that does not exist in the presence of the act” (Ibid)
Kauffman's short paper develops striking comments. In its own way, it is reminiscent of the “Public opinion” engraving of Arnold BÖCKLIN.
One may also ask oneself if the Matrix metaphor could be a significant step toward the deeper understanding of ourselves, that all humans need urgently if we are to avoid the global demise of the species.
See also
Contingency (Mutual), Cultures as systems, Language and culture, Metaphor, Parallel distributed processing, Reality(Riddle of), Stigmergy, Swarm intelligence