AOK Human Sciences

1. Watch The Matrix.

2. The main character is Neo. He has many questions but is not sure who or what to ask. One person he thinks can answer them is Morpheus. Watch the scene below and consider what choice you would make.

The Matrix is a science-fiction film about humanity living in an artificial world. The planet is controlled and organised by machines, humans only think they are living their own lives because the machines make them think that. Neo has doubts about his own life so chooses to take the red pill rather than the blue which allows him to continue it. This could be difficult and dangerous but he chooses it anyway. The image below helps explain the choice he has made.

Questions for discussion

a. How happy are you with your current life? On a scale of 1 (not happy) to 10 (happy), how happy are you? Taking the red pill can also make your answer to the question become lower as well as higher so which do you choose? How do you measure happiness? Who measures it?

b. One of the IB learner profiles is to be a risk-taker but why should you be one if you are content. It is called the comfort zone for a reason! What level of risk should you take? Is your idea of risk the same as someone who cares for you?

c.  Do you think you are living in the real world, a truthful one? How do you know you are not dreaming? How do you know what is real? Is this the same reality as other people you know?

d. Can the blue pill be normal life? Who judges what is normal life?

e. Where do you think you are on the scale of Blue (1) v Red (10)? Explain your choice. How did you imagine what ’10 is? Is your perception of ’10’ always going to be the same? What could change it?

f. Neo takes the red pill and his journey to his perception of truth just begins. Which ways of knowing does he use?

g. Why does Neo trust Morpheus? Who would you trust with your future? Why do you have this trust? Are you expected to trust certain people?

h. In the film, Neo does not believe in fate, his life is not predetermined. How much of your life is predetermined? Is this a good thing? Why does a person believe in fate, why not?

i. Do you really want to know the truth? You only have to read the news to see some of the bad things in the world, do you really want to know more.

And just because I like the film, I have added the following clip.

Extension

J. Would you decide to live in the Matrix or on the ship? Why? What were the influences on your decision?

K. Does the movie clip change your decision?