'Matrix,' other geek icons become philosophy-class fodder

CNN ^ | Tuesday, November 25, 2003 Posted: 12:15 PM EST (1715 GMT) | Not Provided

[.cnI redruM]

ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (AP) -- Long after The Matrix Revolutions morphs itself off the big screen, the eternal battle of reality versus illusion, fate versus free will and good versus evil will rage on in philosophy classrooms everywhere.

The third and final installment of the trilogy opened November 5 on more than 10,000 screens at the exact same time, and, in spite of mixed reviews, soared quickly to No. 1.

[sadimgnik]

Ummmm ... you do understand the difference between 'liberal' in a political sense, and 'liberal' in an education sense, don't you?

Political :
1 ...
A) Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
B) Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
C) Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.
D) (Liberal) Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.
(NB - this is the definition, not the reality)

Educational:
4 ... Of, relating to, or based on the traditional arts and sciences of a college or university curriculum: a liberal education.

Source:
www.dictionary.com

[Question_Assumptions]

I took "Philosophical Ideas in Science Fiction" in the mid-1980s. This is nothing new. If you really want a title that you can teach an entire philosophy semester from, look into Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

[RightWingAtheist]

James Dean wasn't in Red River. I believe you are thinking of Montgomery Clift. (great flick by the way, with one of The Duke's best, most complex performances)

[Iris7]

Darn. You are so right. Two birds of a feather, though, in my view, Dean and Clift, Hollywood pink mafia.

"Red River" was good up until the long plumes of black powder smoke disappeared and the blanks were obviously smokeless. Interesting the change from some attempt at historical accuracy to standard Hollywood baloney "modern angst" happened at the same time.

[Iris7]

Of course. I am saying that as "liberal" has been corrupted by politics into a name for shameless Bolsheviki, who are a bunch of murderous thug wannabes, the term "a liberal education" has become the name for a process of severe indoctrination, a near "brainwashing" (although the term is poorly used by most Americans) meant to instill permanently a "liberal" worldview impervious to reason or criticism.

[Unassuaged]

There were laughs and shouts to that effect in the theater while I was watching the first movie.

[.cnI redruM]

It's like Gary SInese or Gene Hackman tryimnmg to play a good guy. I just think of all the SOBs those guys have played before and can't see them in a sympathetic role. Hugo Weaving will always be Agent Smith. He played the role too well for his own good.

[Prodigal Son]

I did appreciate the philosophical implications of "Gattaca."

Is Gattaca a good movie? I've been thinking about buying it but wasn't sure. Would you give it a good recommend?

[stands2reason]

I would recommend it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Prodigal Son]

Thanks.

[RightWhale]

Is Gattaca a good movie?

Yes, but movies and novels are not considered appropriate subjects for Applied Ethics class. There's more than enough real stuff in daily life.

[Prodigal Son]

Ok. So I now have two good recommends for the movie.

[RightWhale]

Gattaca is classical. There is little fresh in the film aside from aesthetics, but they said that about Brave New World, too. Classical drama, good play.