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Regarding the "Matrix controversy" (i.e. the question whether it is too
slick or too intellectually sophomoric to be worth discussing for its
philosophical content):

I don't know that comparing movies as "more" and "less" philosophical
(the Matrix vs. Memento) on a scale of 1 to 10 is a terribly interesting
endeavour.  Better to consider about a particular film what
philosophical issues it raises and with what subtlety or sophistication
it raises them.  That question can't be answered either by an opinion
poll of philosophers or box office figures from the masses.  Popular
films can be incredibly subtle and sophisticated in thought content, and
esoteric art films can be silly and pretentious.  In any case, with
respect to the Matrix, a number of philosophers have already made some
effort to do more than "feel around blindly" for provocative material.
 Those who are still interested in this line of discussion might
consider going to the film's website (I think it is
"www.whatisthematrix.com") to check out a growing list of fairly
interesting articles on the film, mostly by philosophers, and several of
them fairly well-known philosophers.

Nate


--
Nathan Andersen
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Collegium of Letters
Eckerd College
4200 54th Ave. S.             Phone: (727) 864-7551
St. Petersburg, FL 33712      Fax:   (727) 864-8354
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