Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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| Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values | |
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| Author | Robert M. Pirsig |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Philosophical novel |
| Publisher | William Morrow & Company |
| Publication date | April 1974 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 418 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-688-00230-7 (first edition, hardback) |
| Followed by | Lila: An Inquiry into Morals |
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values is the first of Robert M. Pirsig's texts in which he explores the Metaphysics of quality. The 1974 book describes, in first person, a 17-day motorcycle journey across the United States by the author (though he is not identified in the book) and his son Chris, joined for nine days by John and Sylvia Sutherland, a befriended couple. The trip is punctuated by numerous philosophical discussions (many of them on epistemology and the philosophy of science) which the author refers to as chautauquas.
The book sold millions of copies in twenty-seven languages and was described by the press as "the most widely read philosophy book, ever."[1] despite being rejected by 121 publishers, more than any other bestselling book, according to the Guiness Book of Records.
The title is an incongruous play on the title of the book Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel. In its introduction, Pirsig explains that, despite its title, "it should in no way be associated with that great body of factual information relating to orthodox Zen Buddhist practice. It's not very factual on motorcycles, either."
Contents |
[edit] Philosophical content
In the book, Pirsig explores the meaning and concepts of "quality" (a term which he deems to be undefinable). In the sequel (Lila: An Inquiry into Morals), Pirsig expands his exploration of Quality into a complete metaphysics which he calls The Metaphysics of Quality. As the title suggests, much of the Metaphysics of Quality has to do with a non-intellectualizing, non-conceptualizing, Zen-like direct viewing of the universe. Yet Pirsig departs from Eastern thinking by arguing that reason and logic are just as important in seeking understanding.
The book features two types of personalities: those who are interested mostly in gestalts (romantic viewpoints, such as Zen), and those who need to know details, the inner workings, mechanics (classic viewpoints, such as motorcycle maintenance) and so on.
The Sutherlands represent an exclusively romantic attitude toward the world. The narrator initially appears to prefer the classic approach to contrast the two viewpoints. However, it later becomes apparent that he understands well both viewpoints and is aiming for the middle ground. He understands that technology and the "dehumanised world" it carries with it appear ugly and repulsive to a romantic person. He is, however, capable of seeing the beauty of technology and feels good about mechanical work. The author demonstrates that motorcycle maintenance may be dull and tedious drudgery or an exciting and pleasurable pastime; it all depends on the inner attitude and peace of mind, or lack thereof.
Pirsig attempts to reveal rationality's pretense to be the ultimate and sole source of knowledge and argues for an approach to knowledge that is more varied and inclusive. He seeks a perception of the world that also encompasses "irrational" sources of wisdom and knowledge - in particular, the bursts of creativity and intuition that seemingly come from nowhere and are apparently not rationally explainable. Pirsig seeks to demonstrate that rationality and zen-like irrationality can harmoniously coexist. He suggests such a combination of rationality and mysticism can potentially bring a higher quality of life.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ^ Pirsig, Robert M. (1999). Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values. New York: Quill. 25th Anniversary Edition. ISBN 0688171664.
[edit] External links
- Full text of the book
- MOQ.org, a forum for the discussion of Robert M Pirsig's Metaphysics of Quality
- robertpirsig.org, A website containing a number of papers concerned with the Metaphysics of Quality.
- Robert M. Pirsig & Quality
- Pictures taken by Pirsig from the trip made famous in his book
- Aerial View of Pirsig's route, including texts, audio and books.
- ZAMM Travel Route
- Audio: 1974 NPR Interview with Pirsig
- Audio: 1992 NPR Interview with Pirsig
- Interview from 2005 regarding MoQ
- Guardian interview from 2006 Short version and Long version.
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, An Unappreciation, an essay critical of the book's idea of value and its attempt to synthesise Eastern with Western philosophy.
