Todd Darcie's Summer Reading: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maitenance

Question #1:

I would recommend that you read Robert M. Persigs Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for two reasons. When I think of philosophy and philosophy novels I think of Aristotle, Socrates and the other great minds of the ancient world. To enjoy the novel Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, you do not have to enjoy or even know about these people. The Author explores the metaphysics of quality in a modern setting while relating it to modern topics such as technology and, of course, motorcycle maintenance. I would recommend this book because it is original and, more importantly, it is thought provoking. The author has a unique view of life that he narrates blatantly throughout the book. After reading it, you would believe me when I say that no one else would be able to put that same view into a novel, even if they had read this book first. The second reason that I would recommend this book is because it really makes you think. Even if you do not agree with or even understand some of the concepts, It is impossible to read the book at all without really stretching your brain muscles and coming out as a more intelligent person. If you read this novel, I guaranty that you will learn something. It may be about classic and romantic personalities and how they are both necessary in today’s society. You may learn something about quality, the “metaphysical entity” that it neither objective, existing in reality, nor subjective, existing only in the observer. Who knows, you might even learn a little something about motorcycle maintenance.

Question #10:

Another thing that makes Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance a good read is the fact that the author is not biased in any way when supporting his views, particularly his views on technology. Much of the book is about technology and how it relates to classic personalities, or people that are driven by reason and romantic personalities, or people who are driven by their feelings. As you can tell by his interest in motorcycle matenence, you can tell that the narrator is a classic person. He explains that his friends all go motorcycling to escape from technology and its complications and their lack of interest in the area of motorcycle matenence is not caused by the extra work or hassle, but the fact that by taking an interest in it, they are allowing technology into the one place where they go to avoid it. Their “sanctuary” if you will. He then argues that it is illogical not to take an interest in technology because, no matter if you like it or not, it is all around us no matter what your immediate feelings on it are. Besides, it your motorcycle fails, you may need some general knowledge on the subject if you want to get it fixed and back on the road. He says that the Buda exists in the engine of a motorcycle just as much as he exists in nature. It would be an insult to the Buda to say otherwise. Until this point he supports his side only. The writer then goes on to say that the world does need both types of people to function at all. We can’t run the whole world on logic and reason alone. By doing this he implies that both personalities, classic and romantic, technology and anti-technology have some merit. I know that by saying that both sides are not only good but essential it today’s world, he makes the novel allot stronger and more entertaining.