Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

Book summary

The narrative follows the author and his son, Chris, on a 17-day motorcycle trip from Minnesota to Northern California. Interwoven with this journey are philosophical discussions, referred to as "Chautauquas," exploring topics such as epistemology, the history of philosophy, and the philosophy of science. The narrator delves into his past identity as "Phaedrus," a former teacher whose obsessive quest for understanding led to a mental breakdown and electroconvulsive therapy. Through this lens, the book examines the tension between rationality and romanticism, proposing a synthesis that embraces both perspectives. 

About the author

Robert M. Pirsig was an American writer and philosopher. Born in 1928, he earned a degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota. Before writing Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Pirsig worked as a technical writer and taught philosophy. The novel was inspired by his own experiences and philosophical inquiries. Pirsig passed away in 2017, but his work continues to influence readers and thinkers worldwide.