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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values is the first of Robert M. Pirsig's texts in which he explores a Metaphysics of quality. The 1974 book describes a journey across the United States, punctuated by numerous philosophical discussions (many of them on epistemology and the philosophy of science) referred to as chautauquas. In this book, Pirsig explores the meaning of the concept "quality" (a term which he capitalizes). In the sequel (), Pirsig expands his exploration of Quality into a complete metaphysic which he calls The Metaphysics of Quality. The Metaphysics of Quality is a philosophy, a theory about reality; it asks questions such as what is real, what is good and what is moral. 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. He 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." Pirsig is not the first philosopher to try to bridge the gap between science and mysticism; however, with the Metaphysics of Quality he elevates the whole debate to a new level by structuring both paradigms around a single concept: value. Pirsig throws new light on issues such as mind and matter, the behavior of particles at the quantum level and the nature of consciousness. At the social level there is much to say about racial tension, the cult of celebrity and mental illness. Recalling his University days, narrator Phaedrus sharply criticizes his instructors for miseducating the students.
Major themes Many of the themes of the book were anticipated in Nevil Shute's 1951 novel Round the Bend. Trivia | ||||||||
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