Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert Pirsig
Candidate writing assignment - Malinda Ferris
1. What is Zen?
I feel that zen is a state of mind. A calmness or oneness with whatever you are doing and just being within that moment. A feeling of content with where you are and what you are doing.
2. Explain and comment: The truth knocks on the door and you say, “Go away, I’m looking for the truth” and so it goes away.
I think this quote has a couple different meanings.
For one, I think we tend to overthink or overanalyze…making things more complicated than they need to be. So even if the truth is simple, we are unable to realize it’s simplicity.
I also think we tend to look for answers (truths) that suit our own narrative. We can often become ignorant of the real truth, or even unwilling to listen to other possibilities, because we want our thoughts and beliefs to be the “right” ones. So we often end up waiting for that validation until it’s too late.
3. What is a Chautauqua?
From what I can find by looking it up (which I did when I first came across it in the book because I had never heard the term before) Chautauqua was originally a travelling movement in the US with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, etc, that shared their teachings/knowledge/expertise with the communities they travelled through.
I believe that the author is using this as a way to describe the journey he is taking. As he makes the journey, travelling place to place, he takes us with him, telling us his story and what he has learned.
4. Who is Phaedrus? (historically and in the book)
Historically speaking, Phaedrus was a student of Socrates, featured in Plato’s dialogue “Phaedrus”, where they discuss themes of love, rhetoric and the nature of the human soul. In the book, Phaedrus is actually a pseudonym for Pirsig, his alter ego before he suffers a mental breakdown. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say that “Phaedrus” caused his mental breakdown because of his obsession with defining quality.
5. What does Pirsig have to say about:
Dedication
Pirsig says that dedication isn’t necessary if you are truly confident in something.
“You are never dedicated to something you have complete confidence in. No one is fanatically shouting that the sun is going to rise tomorrow. They know it's going to rise tomorrow. When people are fanatically dedicated to political or religious faiths or any other kinds of dogmas or goals, it's always because these dogmas or goals are in doubt.”
Kant
Pirsig discusses Immanuel Kant’s ideas about how we perceive reality. Kant separated the “thing-in-itself” (reality as it is) from how our minds structure and interpret it. Pirsig builds on this, showing how our understanding of the world is partly constructed — which is why “Quality” exists before analysis.
Gumption
Gumption is the “enthusiasm, courage and initiative that make us want to start and complete a task or undertaking”. If we lose our gumption, we lose motivation to keep going. He warns against “gumption traps”, which are things like frustration, anxiety, impatience, or ego that drain our motivation and cause us to quit.
Perception
Perception isn’t just seeing; it’s interpreting what we see (or hear, smell, etc). We don’t perceive the world directly or truly— we see it through passive or immersive engagement which will change our perception of similar events. We are creators of our own perceptions and, from that, will create our own realities.
Blockages
Blockages occur when we let fear, impatience, or ego interrupt the natural flow of work. For example, a mechanic (or martial artist) who’s frustrated stops listening to the machine (or the body). Calm, mindful attention removes blockages.
6. What is the real University?
The “Real University” is a state of mind where rational thought, true learning, curiosity and integrity are what is important and not a physical building or teachers.
7. What is a priori?
A priori means “from before” and refers to truths known through logic rather than personal observation or experience. For example, math rules are a priori — we don’t have to test them; we just learn and understand them. Pirsig questions whether “Quality” is something along these same lines. Something we recognize instinctively before any analysis.
8. What is the difference between classical and romantic understanding?
Classical understanding focuses on structure, logic, and underlying systems (how things work).
Romantic understanding focuses on aesthetics, emotion, and immediate experience (how things feel).
Pirsig argues both are necessary for a full understanding of life. In Kung Fu, classical is your technique and form; romantic is your flow and spirit.
9. What is the real purpose of the scientific method?
It’s not about collecting data; it’s about caring and paying close attention to reality to find truth. "Science is a disciplined form of curiosity".
10. What is “The Church of Reason”?
Pirsig uses this phrase to describe the formal, institutional world of academics, where reason is worshipped as absolute truth. He criticizes it for losing touch with Quality — the human, moral, and intuitive side of learning.
11. What is Quality?
Quality is the main concept of the book. It’s what makes something “good” before we can explain why. It’s more of a feeling or a perception. It often can’t even be defined. You just know. Phaedras’ decline in his mental health came from his obsession with defining quality.
12. Climbing a mountain as an analogy to learning Kung Fu
There are so many mountain analogies that can relate to Kung Fu! One that I like, and that wasn’t the first to come to mind, is how from afar, before you start climbing, it’s just a mountain. (JUST a mountain..lol). You can make out the overall shape, colours of snow, forest…the more obvious details. But once you start to climb, and the further you venture, the more amazing things you find. It’s completely different than you first thought it would be. In a good way. Plants, animals, life. Sights, sounds, smells. From a distance you definitely don’t see these and if you’re just climbing to get to the top, you will likely miss them. The best way to approach climbing a mountain, and thus Kung Fu, is, yes, to work hard to get to the top. But also to slow down and take your time. Even the smallest critter will have a lot to offer.
13. What is the difference between an ego climber and a selfless climber?
An ego climber is obsessed with reaching the goal. Their focus is only on the final achievement. They are driven by external praise and need everyone around them to see how far and fast they are climbing. They are also easily frustrated by obstacles, challenges or setbacks. I also think that often they do not care how they get to the top (whether it’s done purely or honestly) and only that they do. I see them as making the climb alone, simply because they do not want to share the spotlight. These kinds of people always feel a need to prove themselves.
The selfless climber enjoys the process, pays attention to the smallest details, and finds meaning in each step. They are motivated by internal pride and satisfaction. They happily climb with others and often assist others in gaining ground, pushing them ahead of themselves. They will cheer those on that might pass them along the way. I like to think a selfless climber often takes breaks in the climb, simply to enjoy where they are for a time.
I think I have been both at times.
14. What is the difference between a good mechanic and a bad mechanic?
A good mechanic cares about their work, listens to the machine, pays attention to detail, and works calmly. A bad mechanic rushes, gets frustrated, and treats the work mechanically rather than mindfully.
15. What effect does “peace of mind” have on outcomes?
Peace of mind produces better results because it allows clarity, patience, and intuition to guide your actions.
16. What is the best way to teach Kung Fu?
Teach through leadership and experience, while also encouraging students to experiment, ask questions, and find other ways.
Sharing wisdom and knowledge, but being humble in knowing that we never know it all and are always learning, even in teaching.
17. What is the best way to change the world?
Changing the world always starts with changing the individual. If we start with improving ourselves, the change will ripple out.
Some extra comments
I have to admit that in many places throughout this book, I found myself thinking...."Wait..what? I'm lost." So I don't claim to have "gotten" it in full. Funny story actually....the copy I had was preowned. The previous owner(s) did lots of hi-lighting of certain sections...none of which resonated with me at all. I found lots of things throughout that I made note of, but it was funny how me, and this mystery reader, seemed to have completely different takes on the same book. I'm also really happy I did this assignment. The questions above helped me to think deeper into certain things that I may not have otherwise.
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