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Free Will In The Matrix

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Free Will In The Matrix
Within The Matrix, Free will and fate work together to maintain the delicate balance between the Matrix and the real world, fate being what is instilled in the humans stuck inside the Matrix, and free will for those who get out. In the Matrix, the computer generated world in which humans "live", it appears that fate is the driving force of the simulation. This is due to the fact that the computer system is prewritten, predesigned, and already programed for each individual. However, free will begins to take place in the minds of the individuals who begin to escape. Contrary to the others, Neo is one of the few to possess free will. While many inside the Matrix appear to have merely fate to direct them, he has free will and knows that there …show more content…
The Matrix is set up as a game, the Earth and it's environment acts as the basic program, and the people are the players. The players do not get to make any free will decisions, rather they are ruled by fate. Fate is prewritten for the players by the machines who took over the world so long ago. In the Matrix everything is a virtual reality and nothing can be trusted as one is not ever in control of their life until they escape the game. Neo, when questioned by Morpheus whether he believes in fate responds "'No'...'Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.'" This is part of the reason Neo is the One, he knows from the beginning that he wants to be in control of his decisions and outcome. This differentiates Neo from the rest of the brainwashed people, because he wants there to be opportunity that he has choices to make. It seems that Morpheus is attempting to force fate, as he truly believes that Neo is the One and encourages Neo, Trinity, and all the other crew among the Nebuchadnezzar to believe this too. However, Neo is not the One when he meets Morpheus, and he is not the One until he understands that there is nothing controlling him. Neo has all the free will in the world once he realizes that there are no rules, that everything is a code, and that "there is no spoon". Because Neo is able to open his mind and just let go of all his preconceived notions he shows that he possesses free

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