Episode 50: Pirsig’s “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”

Summary: On Robert M. Pirsig's philosophical, autobiographical novel from 1974.<br> What's the relationship between science and values? Pirsig thinks that modern rationality, by insisting on the fundamental distinction between objects (matter) and subjects (people), labels value judgments as irrational. Society therefore largely ignores aesthetic considerations in the buildings and machines that litter our landscape.<br> People rebel against this ugly commercialism by rejecting technology altogether, and Pirsig thinks this is a mistake. If we realize that value judgments (where we sense "Quality") are fundamentally a part of experience, that they drive what what we consider "rational" (e.g. a "good" scientific explanation) in the first place, then we can stop with the hippie rebellion and more sensibly and peacefully co-exist with technology. Though the book is not about historical Zen, it is about keeping centered, connected, and in the moment. <br> Featuring guest participant David Buchanan. <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2012/01/06/now-taking-questions-on-zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance/" target="_blank">Read more about the topic and get the book</a>.<br> End song: "Freeway" by Mark Lint and Stevie P. <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2012/02/03/partially-naked-self-examination-music-blog-mark-lint-and-stevie-p-big-summer-2011-reunion/" target="_blank">Read about it</a>.<br> If you enjoy the episode, please consider a <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/donate" target="_blank">donation</a>.<br>