In the Matrix, there are many choices presented to the characters in the story. Neo's decision to save Trinity, Morpheus's decision to continue his quest, Niobe's decision to go with Morpheus over staying with the Commander, Lock's decision to be operator in the face of danger.
In each case, there is always this Yes or No quality to the choice. Either chose one or the other. But this is not necessarily the reality in life. There are an infinite amount of choices to make in any decision at any point in time. But because of the way the question is loaded, by the expectation that only one out of the two possibilities is acceptable, the decision has already been made. No not by the person who answers, but by the person who asks the question.
Consider Neo's conversation with the Architect. Must he really leave to save Trinity, or make his way to the mainframe? Did he have another choice? Does it mean that if he made his way to the mainframe, he wouldn't be able to save Trinity? Probably, and then again probably not. He stopped because he didn't know what else he had to do. Because he knew nothing of what lay behind that other door, yet he knew exactly what situation Trinity would be in, and how he could rescue her. The foreknowledge of what's going to happen can also be a deciding factor in the pursuit of choice.
And that brings us to purpose. Purpose is that foreknowledge of what's going to happen in the future. It refers to a state of reality that we believe we are going to make happen. Example, Morpheus's belief that Neo is the One. And Neo's belief that he's NOT the one. Or maybe there wasn't anyone to start with. Purpose gives people a certain belief in their abilities, and purpose gives people the strength to make decisions based on that purpose they believe in. If for example, Lock believed that he had a greater responsibility as a father to his two kids and wife, then he wouldn't have gone with the Nebuchadnezzar. The purpose in life one decides for himself determines the choices that we make. The oracle was right. That much of what Neo was going to choose has already been decided by him because of his purpose. But Neo's purpose isn't saving humanity, but more of being with the one he loves. As evidenced by the choice he made at the Architect's place.
I know I am sounding pretty contradictory now. Didn't I just say that the person who asks the loaded question get to decide which choice the answerer makes? Then later, I'm saying that the answerer has already made that choice by believing in his purpose in life?
There are two aspects to this. The belief in a person's purpose has already Predisposed him to a certain sort of answer, a certain sort of solution. For example again, Neo belief that the game wasn't over yet. That he could stop the sentinels, even though he has never shown that power before. He stopped the sentinels the same way he stopped bullets. The same solution, to the question of his existence. If he didn't stop the sentinels, or the bullets, he wouldn't exist! But that was when he had free will. And freedom of choice.
What happens when he doesn't have free choice? In the domain of the Architect, who happens to be a gatekeeper of sorts, he gives Neo a choice. But even as fair as it seems, it wasn't really a choice. Just like how Morpheus offering the pills to Neo wasn't really a choice at all. Morpheus knew he'd take the red pill. Architect knew he'd take Trinity over saving the world. If that choice had not been offered though, Neo would still be his happy hacker, and in the other instance, Neo would be saviour of the world. To offer a choice gives the Questioner a reasonable chance that the Subject would follow that choice.
posted by Downhere. @ 9:04 am
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