what does it mean when cypher says "ignorance is bliss"?

Question

from the movie "matrix"

Answer 1

It means he prefers to be one-dimensionally happy inside the Matrix, with all his memories of the true horror of existence wiped so that he can eat, drink, have sex, and perform all other basic functions free of stress and worry. It is relative to the old adage of an ostrich sticking its head into the sand when it's frightened: "maybe if I can't see it, it can't see me."

Basically, it means he is a moral coward.

Answer 2

He did not like the responsibility that the knowledge about the matrix gave him. He wanted to go back to the illusion where things we more simple. Cypher decides the life of a resistance fighter isn't all it's cracked up to be and engineers a deal to be reinserted back into the Matrix, at the expense of Zion.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 3

I do not know the context of the movie. But it is a popular saying that ignorance is bliss, just to indicate that since you do not know, you are not affected, and there fore can remain blissful. For instance, if the world is going to end, and if you knwo that, perhaps you may die mcuh before out of fear and anxiety. If you do not know that, then you may llive happily till the end. Some thing like this is meant when some one says that ignnorance is Bliss.

But in Philosophy, ignorance is not at all bliss.

Answer 4

I am just talking about ignorance is bliss and not about the film matrix. Generally when we say ignorance we take that not knowing something is ignorance. In oneway it is o.k. But not liking, or intending to know something is also ignorance. The first quality is inherent and born quality. The second quality i.e., not preparing to know something, is acquired quality. The first one is bliss because nothing is going to affect him or her. The second one is not bliss but part of a self defence mechanism. omehow or other, today or tomorrow, it will influence him or her in either way, positive or negastive.

Answer 5

It means the more we know the more we have to worry about and more problems to deal with. Think about it. If it was 1835 you wouldn't have any of the electronics you have, no cars, no planes, no nuclear bombs, no pollution worries, fewer terrorist worries, etc. Life was simpler. A simpler life should cause less stress. Stress is caused by many factors including all of the items/things/events that surround us. Have fewer of those and you have, in theory, a happier life. Thus if you are ignorant of things you have less to worry about, you have less stress - you have more bliss.

Answer 6

sometimes it is better not to know everything that can go wrong. for me, because I work in a hospital, not knowing everything about complications during surgeries, minor procedures, etc. is a good thing. the worries from having too much information can cause more problems - medically even - for people. so "ignorance is bliss".

Answer 7

It's better to not know the horrible things out there and be happy than to know and be miserable. That's what he says, anyway. If you don't let yourself get you down, then knowing that stuff isn't so bad, actually.

Answer 8

It's so good not to know some of the less pleasant things that seem to exist.

Answer 9

it is wilful ignorance - if l don't know and l don't want to know - then l don't have to act or take responsibility. What l don't know can't hurt me. As my granny used to say - there's nothing so happy as a cabbage!

Answer 10

In not knowing what’s real, you can’t worry about what is and to do so would probably frighten you. So he thinks its better for certain people not to know.