The most apparent use of a theory in the film is that of Plato’s cave allegory. The allegory describes a dark underground cave where groups of people are sitting in one long row with their backs to the cave's entrance. Chained to their chairs from an early age, all that the humans can see is the distant cave wall in from of them. Their view of reality is solely based upon this limited view of the cave which is a poor copy of the real world. Similar to the prisoners of the cave, the humans trapped in the matrix (which signifies the cave) only see what the machines want them to see. In Morpheus’ words, “[The Matrix] is the world that has been pulled over [our] eyes to blind [us] from the truth.” Humans are tricked into believing that what they hear in the cave and see before them is the true reality that exists. Questioning or attempting to achieve freedom from the Matrix is considered to be a form of rebellion just as it’s an offense to look away from the images in the cave. In conclusion, Plato's story of the cave brings up many philosophical points and most importantly, addresses the issue of society's role in our lives. The Wachowski brothers do the same via The Matrix.
If on one hand a philosopher influenced the Wachowski brothers, then on the other hand, a scientist, namely Einstein also has a certain amount of influence on them. Einstein’s theory of ‘cocoon contentment’ has been used to explain why people are caught in the Matrix and actually prefer being imprisoned in it rather than face reality. The viewer is made to speculate about the importance of knowing the difference between what’s real and what’s not, when Cypher, over a dinner of juicy steak, says:
You know, I know that this steak doesn't exist. I know when I put it in my mouth,
the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, do you
know what I've realized? Ignorance is bliss.
Einstein explains such behaviour as “humans [believing] that easy is good while change is bad.” For mankind, it’s easy to simply accept what they see while its difficult and nerve wrecking to search for something they have never envisioned. The people in the Matrix see what they want to see because it is easier to live with something they are used to rather than risk the normalcy of their life for the sake of knowing what reality is. This is apparently what stops all of mankind from searching for the truth.
If the Wachowski brothers draw attention to the problem, they also show the solution. To someone with knowledge about both matters, the solution provided by the brothers will clearly parallel Dalai Lama’s views in a number of ways. The Dalai Lama talked about how the world is an image and in order to see reality, we have to concentrate and look beyond the accepted. In The Matrix, this thought is what sets the ball of rebellion rolling. Only when Thomas Anderson chooses the red pill over the blue one, does his journey into realizing reality begin. According to the Dalai Lama, “…all humans have been brainwashed into believing that everything is fine the way it is…most of the world is unexplainable but humans are conditioned to just accept it. We have to start questioning things that we perceive as truth.” When Morpheus talks about the Matrix, he talks along the same lines as the Dalai Lama. “That you, like everyone else, was born into bondage,” Morpheus explains, “kept inside a prison that you cannot smell, taste, or touch. A prison for your mind.” Both beings are indicating that our minds have become prisoners in the hands of artificiality.
The examples stated above are a few of the many worth-mentioning theories by outstanding philosophers, scientists, religious teachers and writers that have been combined in the story of The Matrix. The package that it is presented in is what counts. The Wachowski brothers have intelligently brought some century old philosophies together in a contemporary package. Many people may read or study these age-old theories in their every day life. A few even understand and enjoy them. However, when it comes to an average common man, such theories serve no importance. Therefore, seeing them in a format as that seen in The Matrix, they are made to think about important questions of life that they would not be bothered about otherwise. Plus, for the people who would like to choose the blue pill and not ever look beyond the accepted, there are always the incredible special effects and action sequences. This is where the Wachowski brothers show their ingenuity. They have kept in mind all the types of audience in the present-day world. To quote Mark Twain again, “…a remarkable writer is he who will pick from here and pick from there but you might never be able to tell. Tell if may, you will be nothing short of amazed.”