Rating: 
Summary: may be good intro book for some
Review: i think this book would be alright for a matrix fan taking their first step into philosophy. but if that is not you, and you expect some kind of growth from a book, i would not suggest reading this.
Rating:
Summary: may be good intro book for some
Review: i think this book would be alright for a matrix fan taking their first step into philosophy. but if that is not you, and you expect some kind of growth from a book, i would not suggest reading this.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent for Intro. to Philosophy Courses
Review: I use this book in the Introduction to Philosophy course that I teach. This book provides me with an "in" that I can use in order to discuss very important philosophical issues. It is often difficult to make the material "come to life", especially when teaching a required course. By using this book, it is possible to make the process much more enjoyable for students who would otherwise be disinterested. This book can be used on its own or, being that it is relatively inexpensive, it can be used as a companion piece along with a textbook. For the most part, the writing is lively and engaging. It is both accessible to Intro. students and interesting to graduate students. Anyone who has had an even cursory acquaintance with philosophical writing knows how rare that is. I believe this to be the best book in the series. I am most likely biased; I have what some might call an unhealthy obsession with the film. The other two books, Seinfeld and Philosophy and Simpsons and Philosophy, are excellent, but this book is much better for use in an intro. course for on simple reason: To understand most of the essays in the other two books, the reader will have to be familiar with the series. Seeing a few episodes will not do. With The Matrix, you can watch a two hour movie and be able to understand the references that are made in the book. A few highlights:
Ch.1: Computers, Caves, and Oracles: Neo and Socrates- Compares Plato's allegory of the cave to Neo's journey. An excellent discussion of what it means to lead an examined life and seek the truth. Excellent segue into the red pill/blue pill debate.
Ch.6: The Machine-Made Ghost: Or, The Philosophy of Mind, Matrix Style- Discusses Artificial Intelligence and the nature of the mind. The author argues against dualism and favors a materialistic view. Leads to a discussion on whether or not it would be theoretically possible for a Matrix to exist and the presuppositions that are present in the movie with regard to the nature of the mind.
Ch.8: Fate, Freedom, and Foreknowledge: A discussion of fate, freedom, omniscience and determinism. Even if they escaped the Matrix, would people really be free?
Ch.11: Happiness and Cypher's Choice: Is Ignorance Bliss?- My favorite essay in the book. What do we make of Cypher's decision to try to return to the Matrix? Is a decimated reality preferable to an artificial world where you can "eat" a juicy steak and do not have to worry about Sentinels trying to kill you? The author says that it is, and his argument is very thought-provoking.
There are other excellent essays in this book, but these happen to be my favorites. Students, teachers and those who are just interested in philosophy: You should definitely buy this excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Question Answerer!
Review: I wanted to say that Dr. Irwin did the best that could possibly be done on this book. I was so impressed on how he nailed some of the questions that were left unanswered in my mind. He also found ways of raising new questions. Will all the participants and Dr. Irwin himself, this book blew me away. I can't wait to see if he comes out with anymore dealing with The Matrix and hopefully he'll do some more cutting edge books on other movies. So thanks again Dr. Irwin for a fantastic book.
Rating: 
Summary: Rather good!
Review: I was very surprised! I really enjoyed it and cant wait to read other Matrix books!
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing way to learn more about philosophy.
Review: I would say this is a must read for those interested in learning more about philosophy or even self taught scholars who are openminded to present day applications of basic theories. Although I do not completely agree with all the analyses and comparisons offered in this book, I cannot argue against the fact that like its predecessors (The Simpsons and Philosophy and Seinfeld and Philosophy) this collection of essays offers a unique opportunity to explain sometimes complex theories of philosophy in a palpable and comprehensible manner that I think anyone can appreciate. I admit that although some of the analysis require time to digest and at times may be a slow read, this book is well worth it if you are interested in learning more about philosophy and do not feel like buying "An idiots guide to philosophy". I have used the theories that I have found in this book to concentrate on specific philosophers and avenues of thought. Also, it is just more interesting as it makes you think and gives you tangible examples that parallel with your own life experiences. Of course these life experiences may not include the gravity defying martial arts but stranger things have been true so I leave it to you to decide. Which pill will you choose?
Rating:
Summary: Introduction
Review: I've always been interested in philosophy and was looking for someplace to start. Instead of jumping right in with Plato and the like and finding myself over my head, I decided to try out this book. I like the Matrix and am intrigued by the philisophical questions it raises, so this book seemed like a logical choice.Even though this book had its bad parts--like with the angry feminist expressing her distain for the Matrix because a male is the hero, and her praise for another because the male is "penetrated" in a disturbing way--I think it fulfilled the purpose I had in mind.
Rating:
Summary: Introduction
Review: I've always been interested in philosophy and was looking for someplace to start. Instead of jumping right in with Plato and the like and finding myself over my head, I decided to try out this book. I like the Matrix and am intrigued by the philisophical questions it raises, so this book seemed like a logical choice. Even though this book had its bad parts--like with the angry feminist expressing her distain for the Matrix because a male is the hero, and her praise for another because the male is "penetrated" in a disturbing way--I think it fulfilled the purpose I had in mind.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting book but not something to be taken too seriously
Review: In his essay in this text Slaboj Zizek states "Isn't The Matrix one of those films which functions as a kind of Rorschach task, setting in motion the universalized process of recognition..." No thought could better summarize this collection of essays as philosophers celebrate, critique and deconstruct The Matrix. Comparisons are made to Socrates, Descartes, Kant, Bhuddah, and Marx, some almost certainly intended in the film and other likely projected. The Matrix is a philosophical film and the first time I saw it I heard the voices of Descartes and Kant. It was refreshing to have some rigorous guidance for the way down the rabbit hole and the process of making connections between the movie, classical philosophy and current world views. The text is technical but accessible. The essays are more in the rhetorical style of college lecture halls than dining halls and the reader should be prepared for some rigor - but it is well worth it. There is a lot of repetition between chapters and some essays were definitely more interesting than others (Gregory Bassham's The Religion of The Matrix and the Problems of Pluralism and Theodore Schick's Fate, Freedom, and Foreknowledge, in particular, were winners) but that is the advantage of a modular document - the essays stand alone and you can read from cover to cover or sample. A highly recommended text.
Rating:
Summary: From Socrates to Nietzsche in the Desert of the Real
Review: In his essay in this text Slaboj Zizek states "Isn't The Matrix one of those films which functions as a kind of Rorschach task, setting in motion the universalized process of recognition..." No thought could better summarize this collection of essays as philosophers celebrate, critique and deconstruct The Matrix. Comparisons are made to Socrates, Descartes, Kant, Bhuddah, and Marx, some almost certainly intended in the film and other likely projected. The Matrix is a philosophical film and the first time I saw it I heard the voices of Descartes and Kant. It was refreshing to have some rigorous guidance for the way down the rabbit hole and the process of making connections between the movie, classical philosophy and current world views. The text is technical but accessible. The essays are more in the rhetorical style of college lecture halls than dining halls and the reader should be prepared for some rigor - but it is well worth it. There is a lot of repetition between chapters and some essays were definitely more interesting than others (Gregory Bassham's The Religion of The Matrix and the Problems of Pluralism and Theodore Schick's Fate, Freedom, and Foreknowledge, in particular, were winners) but that is the advantage of a modular document - the essays stand alone and you can read from cover to cover or sample. A highly recommended text.
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