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From: gmf@uvacs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.philosophy
Subject: Robert Pirsig
Message-ID: <1383@uvacs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 22-Jul-84 00:39:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: uvacs.1383
Posted: Sun Jul 22 00:39:27 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 27-Jul-84 00:55:20 EDT
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>> Pirsig is the author of *Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance*.
>> What do modern philosophers think of this book?  Is it mentioned in
>> philosophy courses in college?  Prominently?

For a couple of years after it first came out (8 or 10 years ago?), it
was frequently mentioned in certain kinds of English courses, sometimes
even prominently.  I doubt that it was often mentioned favorably in
philosophy courses.  It doesn't contain much philosophizing as this
term is usually understood in university philosophy departments.

For myself, I seem to recall that I could never make out what he meant
by the nebulous-seeming "Quality" he recommended.  Evidently, though,
the concreteness and technology of the motorcycle he so loved (or
the equivalent) appealed to some English professors.  Or maybe it was
his plea for improving the way we live, albeit he doesn't specify a
practical plan (other than cultivating your motorcycle).  In any case,
I gather many people have found the book inspiring.


Gordon Fisher