Central Michigan University The Matrix and Ethical Action Question
InstructionsFor this assignment, use the film The Matrix to think about ethical action. Explain the threephilosophical concepts clearly, using the philosophical texts, and then apply them to the film byresponding to the essay prompt questions. Your analysis must include one citation from Plato’sApology, one citation from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, and one citation from Sartre’s essayon bad faith.Essay PromptUse the film to explain these three philosophical concepts. You can choose any characters orscenes from the film to help you explain what these philosophical concepts mean.(1) What does Socrates mean when he says “the unexamined life is not worth living”?
(2) What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary action?
(3) What does “bad faith” mean for Sartre?For example, you might use Morpheus as an example in explaining Socrates’ argument that theunexamined life is not worth living—carefully explain, in detail, what the examined life meansfor Socrates, and how Morpheus might be seen as an example of someone living the examinedlife. For voluntary and involuntary action, choose any character and action from the film andexplain how their action might be involuntary through either force or ignorance, usingAristotle’s criteria. For bad faith, choose a character to analyze and show how they are in badfaith (like Cipher, or perhaps Agent Smith) or choose a character and demonstrate how theyavoid bad faith by acting authentically (like Trinity, Neo, Morpheus, etc). You may use your own writing from the discussion forums, but please do not simply cut andpaste—make sure your essay reads as a coherent and organized whole.Be sure to explain all three philosophical concepts in detail, using the philosophical texts—thisis a primary objective of the assignment!Avoid plot summary and assume all readers are very familiar with the film. Introduction to Philosophy, Spring 2021
Dr. Jessica Elbert Decker
Ethics Analysis Assignment: Plato, Aristotle, Sartre and The Matrix
Due: Friday 3/19 by Midnight
900 words minimum/1500 words maximum
Citations from Plato, Aristotle, Sartre required
Instructions
For this assignment, use the film The Matrix to think about ethical action. Explain the three
philosophical concepts clearly, using the philosophical texts, and then apply them to the film by
responding to the essay prompt questions. Your analysis must include one citation from Plato’s
Apology, one citation from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, and one citation from Sartre’s essay
on bad faith.
Essay Prompt
Use the film to explain these three philosophical concepts. You can choose any characters or
scenes from the film to help you explain what these philosophical concepts mean.
(1) What does Socrates mean when he says “the unexamined life is not worth living”?
(2) What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary action?
(3) What does “bad faith” mean for Sartre?
For example, you might use Morpheus as an example in explaining Socrates’ argument that the
unexamined life is not worth living-carefully explain, in detail, what the examined life means
for Socrates, and how Morpheus might be seen as an example of someone living the examined
life. For voluntary and involuntary action, choose any character and action from the film and
explain how their action might be involuntary through either force or ignorance, using
Aristotle’s criteria. For bad faith, choose a character to analyze and show how they are in bad
faith (like Cipher, or perhaps Agent Smith) or choose a character and demonstrate how they
avoid bad faith by acting authentically (like Trinity, Neo, Morpheus, etc).
You may use your own writing from the discussion forums, but please do not simply cut and
paste-make sure your essay reads as a coherent and organized whole.
Be sure to explain all three philosophical concepts in detail, using the philosophical texts-this
is a primary objective of the assignment!
Avoid plot summary and assume all readers are very familiar with the film.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student who plagiarizes on any class assignment will fail
the course and be reported to the academic authorities. If you do not know what constitutes
plagiarism, please ask me or consult the csusm website for guidelines.
