Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxq.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!ihuxq!ken
From: ken@ihuxq.UUCP (ken perlow)
Newsgroups: net.philosophy
Subject: Re: Pirsig
Message-ID: <914@ihuxq.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 2-May-84 18:38:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxq.914
Posted: Wed May  2 18:38:13 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 4-May-84 00:44:02 EDT
References: <2548@csu-cs.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 32

--
>> I also enjoy Pirsig's work.

>> As far as I know, his work isn't taken too seriously in philosophical
>> circles. I spoke with my favorite Philosophy guru, who by the way is a
>> University of Chicago alumni, about Zen and the Art. He looked at me and
>> laughed. He said, "Being the best, whether it be philosopher, motorcycle
>> mechanic, father, teacher or writer, this is the focus of the book. Yet
>> in each of these areas he bites off more than he can chew. He tries to
>> eclipse all of philosophy by using the tools of many of the disciplines
>> he abandons. On a philosophical level this is a disaster, on a
>> rhetorical level it's ok, but on a reading level it's really fun!"

And I also enjoy Pirsig's work, including the more physical variety,
wherein he noticed our boat was dragging during a rather nasty squall
in Miami harbor in June 1977, when no one was on board.  He rowed over
and set his own spare storm anchor.  His Westsail 32 (named,
appropriately, "Arete") was financed by royalties from "Zen..." 
Nice boat.

But, as I understand it, what drove him so deep into neurosis that his
shrink suggested he write about it was his experience in the Philosophy
Dept. at Chicago.  The ogre in "Zen..." must be Mortimer Adler, who
seems to demand either adherence to his line or your head.  Can a
U of C alum give Pirsig a fair shake?
-- 
                    *** ***
JE MAINTIENDRAI   ***** *****
                 ****** ******    02 May 84 [13 Floreal An CXCII]
ken perlow       *****   *****
(312)979-7261     ** ** ** **
..ihnp4!ihuxq!ken   *** ***