… and be immersed in a masterful fabric of philosophy and personal discovery.
Robert M. Pirsig was an American writer and philosopher, born on 6 September 1928 and died on 24 April 2017. He is best known for his book “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” published in 1974. This book combines a motorbike travelogue with profound philosophical reflections. This book incorporates themes such as quality, the relationship between technology and humanity, and the search for “significance”.
For me, reading this book was an enchanting journey in which adventure and countless profound insights came together. With its compelling mix of motorbike adventure and profound philosophical insights, this book continues to resonate. I think about it regularly and still reread parts of the book.
To give you a taste, I hereby make a modest attempt to share some (of its many) topics. Why is the book so interesting?
There is a personal story in it. You travel with father and son as they traverse the roads from Minnesota to California, together on motorbikes. However, this is no ordinary journey. The Hidden Symbolism of Motorcycling is actually a journey into authenticity and life’s mission. Memories of the protagonist’s own mental struggles reveal the mystery of significance and the limits of “normality”.
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
The book has many layers of philosophical depth.
Amidst the beautiful landscapes, the protagonist explores issues such as:
- The connection (or not?) between science and spiritual wisdom.
- The complex relationship between science, technology and human values. He warns against an imbalance that can lead to superficiality and alienation.
- Two worldviews: the classical approach, which focuses on truth and meaning, and the romantic approach, which focuses on fleeting emotions and experiences. Nicely applicable to our current society and how we experience it.
The thorough analysis of the concept of “Quality” gives so many new insights: Pirsig introduces the concept of “quality” as a core concept. He argues that quality, though subjective, is an intrinsic element of the universe. For many pages, the concept of quality is analysed, and yet it remains interesting. Nice to know: this book was once recommended literature in the Quality Management courses I once taught in college.
“But even though quality can not be defined, you know what quality is.”
This book encourages introspection and the ongoing journey to improve your own knowledge and abilities.
“The place to improve the world is first in your own heart, head and hands.”
Finally, I learnt some new terms like “Chautauqua” and “Gumption”. Crucial moments of deep introspection and philosophical discussions are epitomised by the term “Chautauqua.” “Gumption” for determination and energy to tackle problems and grow personally. The book already gave me the “Gumption” to write this blog. 😊
Another great quote to end this blog with:
“The past exists only in our memories, the future only in our plans. The present is our only reality.”
Enjoy the (reading) moment!