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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I had to return the audiobook to the library before I got finished, but I'll comment on it anyway! I knew going into this read that the book involves a road trip and some philosophy. I did not know that the author had multiple personalities, which made it way more interesting!
Pirsig calls his story a chatauqua, which is fitting because those are usually talks given by people impersonating historical figures. In this case, Pirsig is getting into the ideas and personality of the crazy genius who used to inhabit his body.
The ideas he expresses are mostly about the difference between classical and romantic thought. Classical minds are good at mechanics; romantic minds are less into rational things and more interested in feelings and art. He becomes hung up on the meaning of "quality" and decides that it is undefinable but essentially "what you like."
Pirsig calls his story a chatauqua, which is fitting because those are usually talks given by people impersonating historical figures. In this case, Pirsig is getting into the ideas and personality of the crazy genius who used to inhabit his body.
The ideas he expresses are mostly about the difference between classical and romantic thought. Classical minds are good at mechanics; romantic minds are less into rational things and more interested in feelings and art. He becomes hung up on the meaning of "quality" and decides that it is undefinable but essentially "what you like."
Pretty good so far.. some of the theory goes a little over my head and can be tedious to read but once he adds a more humanistic touch to each of his discussions it gets easier to grasp.
***
K now that I'm done... the author himself even acknowledged this book is a lil more laboring to read. I think anyone who has studied philosophy/Aristotle will appreciate this more. It definitely does touch more basic values that anyone can appreciate though. I don't know if it really "changed my life" as some reviews said it would but it definitely cemented some of my philosophies and eloquently defines quality and can give a greater understanding of how to apply that to your life. I might have to study Aristotle and Socrates and Plato a bit first then re-read it.
***
K now that I'm done... the author himself even acknowledged this book is a lil more laboring to read. I think anyone who has studied philosophy/Aristotle will appreciate this more. It definitely does touch more basic values that anyone can appreciate though. I don't know if it really "changed my life" as some reviews said it would but it definitely cemented some of my philosophies and eloquently defines quality and can give a greater understanding of how to apply that to your life. I might have to study Aristotle and Socrates and Plato a bit first then re-read it.
Titles like this can sometimes be taken for granted in the moment of reading them. I say that in regards to the fact that it might be hard to see how groundbreaking they once were, given how widely adapted and accepted the ideas presented in them have become. Zen' is one of those books that gracefully illustrates its deeper ideas in eloquent prose with such efficacy, that you'd hardly believe it was trying to teach you something until you took a step back from it to examine its stream of consciousness. I say this book is absolutely worth a shot, whether you're a motorcycle enthusiast, or just seeking some peace.
The afterword is what made this book a two star, not a one.
Книга, която водят като култова за хипи-културата. Именно затова не я бях чел досега, защото ненавиждам хипи-културата. За моя изненада обаче, популярното мнение за нея няма почти нищо общо с действителното й съдържание, дори в по-голямата част от текста е точно обратното.
Простичко казано, книгата ПРОТИВОПОСТАВЯ дзен и изкуството да се поддържа мотоциклет. Докато дзен е състояние, в което приемаш случващото се, изкуството да се поддържа мотициклет според автора е еманацията на търсещия разум, който вниква в дълбочина в това, което става около него и намира решения на проблемите.
Нищо особено революционно или оригинално няма в книгата, но може би за измъчения от "духовни" хипи шитни човек на 70-те тя вероятно е била като чашка вода за жадния.
Простичко казано, книгата ПРОТИВОПОСТАВЯ дзен и изкуството да се поддържа мотоциклет. Докато дзен е състояние, в което приемаш случващото се, изкуството да се поддържа мотициклет според автора е еманацията на търсещия разум, който вниква в дълбочина в това, което става около него и намира решения на проблемите.
Нищо особено революционно или оригинално няма в книгата, но може би за измъчения от "духовни" хипи шитни човек на 70-те тя вероятно е била като чашка вода за жадния.
I’ve had this book on my shelf for over 20 years and finally read it. What a letdown. The philosophy parts were jumbled, the story was sad, and the author was a jerk. I’m surprised at how bad it was considering its historical acclaim. Like others have said, perhaps it was radical for its time and now just seems selfish and nonsensical. Far out, man.
Book explores the concept of "Quality" through a fictionalized autobiographical narrative. The story follows the narrator and his son Chris as they embark on a motorcycle journey across the United States.
Along the way, the narrator reflects on his past life and mental breakdown, interweaving philosophical musings on the nature of Quality and the contrasting views of romantic versus classical understanding. He argues that Quality is an undefinable essence that transcends rational thought and can only be truly grasped through direct experience and engagement with the world.
The book delves into the narrator's relationship with technology, particularly his motorcycle maintenance, which serves as a metaphor for his philosophical inquiry. He values hands-on engagement and mastery of the technical details, in contrast to his friends who prefer to outsource maintenance, representing a detached and romantic view of technology.
Ultimately, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance advocates for a holistic, engaged approach to life that embraces both rational and romantic modes of understanding, seeking to reconcile the divide between the scientific and the spiritual.
Along the way, the narrator reflects on his past life and mental breakdown, interweaving philosophical musings on the nature of Quality and the contrasting views of romantic versus classical understanding. He argues that Quality is an undefinable essence that transcends rational thought and can only be truly grasped through direct experience and engagement with the world.
The book delves into the narrator's relationship with technology, particularly his motorcycle maintenance, which serves as a metaphor for his philosophical inquiry. He values hands-on engagement and mastery of the technical details, in contrast to his friends who prefer to outsource maintenance, representing a detached and romantic view of technology.
Ultimately, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance advocates for a holistic, engaged approach to life that embraces both rational and romantic modes of understanding, seeking to reconcile the divide between the scientific and the spiritual.
Exceedingly philosophical. If you like that kind of thing.
If you think you know what you think, how to think and why- this is a good book.
I actually listened to this on books on CD and enjoyed that. Some great insights and some long, tedious rants. Worthwhile, though.