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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (1974)I was surprised to discover this classic ain’t on elib.From Wikipedia: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 a seventeen-day motorcycle journey across the United States by an unnamed father 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.”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.” Philosophical contentIn 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 metaphysic 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, e.g., Zen), the other who needs to know details, the inner workings, mechanics (classic viewpoints, e.g., motorcycle maintenance).The Sutherlands represent the romantic attitude towards the world. The narrator (the book is written in first person) is more into the classic approach. Or so it seems. In fact he understands well both viewpoints and is aiming for the middle ground. He does understand that technology and the “dehumanised world” that it carries with it appears ugly and repulsive to a “romantic” person. But on the other hand he is capable of seeing the beauty of technology and feels good about mechanical work. The author demonstrates that the cycle maintenance may be dull and tedious drudgery or an exciting and pleasureable pastime. It all depends on the inner attitude and peace of mind (or the lack of it).Pirsig attempts to unmask the rationality’s pretence 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 additionally encompasses “irrational” sources of wisdom and knowledge, in particular, the bursts of creativity and intuition which may seem to 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 harmonious combination of rationality and mysticism can potentially bring a higher quality of life.