Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig Summary & Study Guide

by BookRags

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Study Guide by BookRags.com consists of approx. 55 pages of summaries and analysis on Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig.

This study guide, written by BookRags.com, includes the following Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Characters, Objects/Places, Themes, Style, and Topics for Discussion.

Genres: Philosophy, Psychology, Fiction, Relationships, Parenting, Fatherhood, Family

Nook

First published October 24, 2010

Reviews

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and really interesting. I read this before I read Plato and it influenced the way I approached the socratic dialogues. I think the idea of Quality is worth thinking about. However I thought the interspersion of the motorcycling and the travelling with the philosophy made it too easy to read through the philosophy and accept it. Definitely worth reading and thinking about

[ZaRi]

"People arrive at a factory and perform a totally meaningless task from eight to five without question because the structure demands that it be that way. There’s no villain, no ‘mean guy’ who wants them to live meaningless lives, it’s just that the structure, the system demands it and no one is willing to take on the formidable task of changing the structure just because it is meaningless. But to tear down a factory or to revolt against a government or to avoid repair of a motorcycle because it is a system is to attack effects rather than causes; and as long as the attack is upon effects only, no change is possible. The true system, the real system, is our present construction of systematic thought itself, rationality itself, and if a factory is torn down but the rationality which produced it is left standing, then that rationality will simply produce another factory. If a revolution destroys a systematic government, but the systematic patterns of thought that produced that government are left intact, then those patterns will repeat themselves in the succeeding government. There’s so much talk about the system. And so little understanding."

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the book begins, "This book is not primarily concerned with, or entirely accurate, with Zen or Motorcycle Maintenence". LOL! Having no pre-conceived notions on what the book was about, not being very Zen, and not liking motorcycles... I found this book to be very interesting. It crosses from a light read about a motorcycle journey, into Metaphysics 101, and a basic introduction of Greek Philosophy that if I had read in 1992, I would have gotten A's in every philosophy/ sociology class I had ever taken (or really upset the teachers by finally understanding the material). Truely an art of this book is not only in the story telling, but in the basis of thought itself. Some of us will identify with other aspects of this book (and perhaps you will be one), that can be truely terrifying as we see our own reflection. How so many difficult subjects fit into such a small book is astounding!

[Nick Such · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Timeless exploration of the role of technology in our lives, of the definition of meaningful work, and of the value of human relationships.

[Chris Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredibly thought provoking and worthy of deeper study...I suspect this book will take me places.

[Skip Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. Thought provoking journey on life and values.

[Amy Cotterman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read about living in the moment but I learned more from the Zen of Pooh.