Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
by Robert Pirsig

All questions must accompany your answers and must be submitted as a legible hard copy.

Note that the questions are not in chronological order in relation to the book, nor are they meant to imply importance toward any given aspect of the book. They are merely utilized as a method of confirming completion of the reading requirement.

  • What is Zen?

  • 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.

  • What is a Chautauqua?

  • Who is Phadrus? (historically and in the book)

  • What does Pirsig have to say about:

    • dedication

    • Kant

    • gumption

    • perception

    • blockages

  • What is the real University?

  • What is a priori?

  • What is the difference between classical and romantic understanding?

  • What is the real purpose of scientific method?

  • What is “The Church of Reason?

  • What is Quality?

  • Use climbing a mountain as an analogy to learning Kung Fu

  • What is the difference between an ego climber and a selfless

    climber?

  • What is the difference between a good mechanic and a bad mechanic?

  • What effect does “peace of mind” have on outcomes?

  • What is the best way to teach Kung Fu?

  • What is the best way to change the world?

  • Comments