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Andrew Ridd

Dr. Jane Drexler

Philosophy 1000

June 28, 2021

Cypher’s Betrayal

In the Wachowski Siblings’ masterful work “The Matrix,” we find humanity slaves to a

machine master race. Humans are no longer born; they are grown and used as a power source for

their machine overlords. In doing so, humanity lives out their lives inside an elaborate simulation

called the Matrix, ignorant of what truly lies outside. However, a small group has managed to

“unplug” from the Matrix and learned the Truth, and their goal becomes to free as many humans

from the clutches of the machines as possible. Some have drawn parallels from this film to “The

Allegory of the Cave” from Plato’s Republic in that the inhabitants of the Matrix are analogous

to the prisoners in Plato’s cave. On this 150th anniversary of the film’s release, we here at

Thoughts for Your Thoughts have been granted special access to the much-reported Quantum

Life Replicants at the 2150 World’s Fair in New York City. These Replicants have been

engineered to be a teacher of sorts. Visitors can select historical figures to sit down and speak

with them about their lives, accomplishments, and notable works. Here we’ll have the

opportunity to speak with a historically accurate representation of Plato and his student Aristotle

about their thoughts regarding a particular character from the film and his decision to betray the

protagonists.

Upon arriving and seeing the incredible display the World’s Fair had to offer, we were

escorted into Real Life, Really’s massive showcase arena. Here they have elegant pods where
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people are able to sit and meet with the QLR of their choosing. We were led to our pod where we

were met by Plato himself. I introduced myself and explained the nature of the conversation we

wished to have. Not only are these QLR’s accurate in the sense that they contain the knowledge

and personality of the subject, but they are also able to comprehend subjects that existed long

beyond them, in our case, The Matrix.

Interviewer: I wanted to ask you about the character Cypher. He is one of the “redpills” in

the film, however he betrays them for a chance to return to the Matrix and live a life of

luxury and happiness. How do you view this character’s decision?

Plato: This is a moment that pained me greatly. Here we have a man who has been brought out

of the cave, gone through the painful awakening, felt the very sun on his face, and gained the

true knowledge of reality, yet he wishes to return to the perceived comforts of the cave. Why is

this? For fame, luxury, and wealth as he asks of Agent Smith? Or is the burden of knowledge too

much to bear? As I see it, both are true. Cypher sees a happiness in ignorance. I see two errors in

his actions. Let us set aside the narrative of the betrayal and killing of his allies and focus on a

higher level of thought. Is it not “better to be the poor servant or a poor master and to endure

anything, rather than think as they do and live after their manner?” (The Republic, Book VII,

The Allegory of the Cave). My friend I mean to ask, is it not better to live in a world where you

are constantly hunted by these machines and suffering in poverty than to be living a false life of

ignorance filled with false riches and fame? My friend I find pure reason and understanding to be

better than any false riches. As my dear friend and teacher stated with such conviction in the face

of death, “The unexamined lift is not worth living” (The Dialogues of Plato, The Apology). This

is to say, Cypher would rather return to a life of ignorance and routine living than to have true

knowledge and purpose.

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Our time with Plato had finished and we made our way to the lobby. The explanation

from Plato got us thinking about perceived happiness and our purpose in life. Our names rang

out over the loudspeaker of the arena, and we made our way to our next pod where Aristotle rose

to meet us.

Interviewer: In his conversation with Agent Smith, Cypher makes a list of demands in

return for his betrayal. These include various luxuries and fame in return for not

remembering anything about the true knowledge he has. How do you perceive his virtues

and his ideas of happiness?

Aristotle: Can one find true happiness when it comes at the expense of others? Is this not an evil

state of mind? Eudaimonia is not attained in acts of evil, in this case, the betrayal of friends. I

will also say this: one does not flip a switch and lose all virtue. No, your virtuous nature is

something that is cultivated and practiced (Nicomachean Ethics, Book II, Principle 1). So, I

believe for Cypher, while not shown or mentioned in this film, must have had a sour and non-

virtuous state of mind. Let’s examine Cypher’s attitude and facial expressions in the act of his

betrayal. At the beginning of their mission when he sets up the trap, Cypher appears nervous and

hateful towards other members of the team. I would assume that, while he had his perceived

future of happiness in mind, he took no pleasure in committing this act. “Again, if the virtues are

concerned with actions and passions, and every passion and every action is accompanied by

pleasure and pain, for this reason also virtue will be concerned with pleasures and pains.”

(Nicomachean Ethics, Book II, Principle 3). If Cypher were acting in a virtuous manner, he

would have been filled with pleasure. In doing these evil acts, Cypher is filled with pain.

I packed my notes and headed out to my transport. I began to reflect on what was once a

simple assignment to highlight a classic film and to show the technological advancements at the
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World’s Fair. In fact, this had quickly turned to a reflection on proper acts of humanity and what

it means to find happiness among true knowledge. I thought back to what Plato had said about

being the poor slave of a poor master. I find that the easy path would be to return to the cave and

live a life free of worry and find ease in being the being the best and fastest to observe my false

reality. But is living in figurative darkness really living at all? And what of happiness? Aristotle

taught us that while living a virtuous life takes practice, it is in performing virtuous acts that

brings pleasure and happiness. I truly hope this incredible opportunity to speak with these

historic figures not only give you an excuse to revisit this classic film, but more so to dive a little

deeper into their works and draw your own conclusions with their effect on the narrative of this

film and to truly ponder the actions of Cypher.