Recent blockbuster movies such as The Matrix, eXistenZ, The Thirteenth Floor, and The Trueman Show, have all explored the philosophical questions regarding what is real, and the problems, which may emerge, from artificial realities.

In the 21st century, physical science itself, through the technology of virtual reality, will provide the means to create such illusions, as those discussed by Plato, Descartes, and newer philosophers such as Dennett. Video gamers, and cybernauts alike, can strap themselves into virtual reality goggles, and body suits for stints in artificially created

The creation of virtual worlds raises many important questions about the nature of reality, virtuality and life.

The debate about the reality of virtual worlds has something to share with the debate about the possibility of machine intelligence. Like AI and AL, VW study its subject matter by attempting to realize it within computers. The position that a world's processes can be abstracted from matter can be therefore considered as a functionalist position. Thus, as for AI, and AL, there are two claims that can be made - a weak claim and a strong claim.

"That is because you are seeing for the first time." What is he seeing? How is he seeing? These questions are often asked when referring to philosophy. Philosophy is based on questioning and searching for truths. In Matrix, the search and questions were for the truth about our own existence. We see that we are here on earth. We feel things and know things, but why? Is it because we are told to believe these things? The whole movie symbolized a path of life which most of us have come across once or twice. This path is to answers. Neo, the main character, is our guide through this movie. He drags us through his thoughts and doubts which have been in all our minds. As a child did you ever think that your life was just a dream? One day you would wake up and you would be in a crib. You wouldn't remember anything. This movie portrays the minds and thoughts of anyone who has ever wondered or was intrigued. What is the matrix? Well it can be perceived as anything !

A virtual object is classically defined as an object existing within an optical system that is composed of a source of light and an observer, but with no physically reality. In context of VW, virtual means purely computational, that is made of computer programs.

ed, repeated, and sterilized so that one can live in a fully personalized world.

ellencies are open to likewise to the greater aberrations; and those who travel very slowly may yet make far greater progress, provided they keep always to the straight road, than those who, while they run, forsake it." This quote sums up all the ideas, thoughts, and doubts that Descartes eve had. He knew that one could not go through life with out wondering or thinking. As long as you go towards the right path, then you will find your answers. Throughout the movie, many references were made to the idea of senses. It is believed by every human that to know reality is to experience through your taste, smell, touch, hear, and see. Locke believed that this was true. "There is nothing in the mind except what was first in the senses." Locke's point of view contradicts Descartes and even the movie itself. Locke believed our mind is an empty slate. This idea parallels to the ideas in the Matrix about the mind being an empty room. Locke, though, insists that when we begin to use our s!

· THE PHILOSOPHY OF VIRTUAL REALITY, by Geoffrey Wong, 1999

Now, The Matrix contains no overt references to Plato, but it does suggest the question that is raised by following the Platonic analogy. The Cave, after all, was not ultimate reality for Plato. The freed prisoner leaves the Cave and discovers the genuine reality outside, the World of Forms, capped by the Form of the Good. Is it possible that the "real world" to which Neo awakes is itself a virtual reality computer simulation also? This would be a interesting twist for The Matrix II, but there is no hint of it here. Instead, by other clues The Matrix leads us to wonder whether, even if the "real world" is the real world, the real world might not actually be so "real" after all.

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Approximate Pages = 18 (250 words per page double spaced)