To what extent do you agree with Dr. Pryor’s definition of truth (and what is real)? Compare Dr. Pryor’s analysis with Morpheus’ statement and the themes in The Matrix.

        The Matrix is a science fiction movie that deals greatly with the concept of reality and truth and how we know something is real or not. Neo, the main character, discovers that his entire life was a lie, a creation of computer software made by robots.  Morpheus, a principle character of the movie asks, “What is real? How do you define ‘real’? If you’re talking about what you can feel, what you can smell, what you can taste and see, then real is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain.” Also concerning truth and reality, James Pryor, a teacher of philosophy at Princeton, argues that if an objective fact exists, then “what you and I believe, and who’s got better evidence for their belief, are further separate questions.” I disagree with Dr. Pryor’s idea that there is an absolute truth, whether one knows it or not. However, his analysis is compatible with Morpheus’ statement and the themes in The Matrix.

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        I believe, contrary to Dr. Pryor, that it is the personal belief that matters, that counts as the actual truth. There might be a real “truth,” but that truth is so insignificant to our personal lives that it might as well not exist. Foremost, my definition of truth is something that one can whole-heartedly believe in. So an objective fact that no one might actually know does not count as a “truth.” It is our own personal beliefs that we can actually know, that we can actually consider true, that we can actually believe and therefore act upon.

For example, ...

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