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Originally Posted by flstf
I read this book on one of my cross country motorcycle trips years ago. I even traveled on some of the route that Persig did. I have to say though that I found his logic on the search for quality rather hard to understand. I did enjoy the book though and contemplated his words during the long days of riding.
Since you put this book on your list would you mind writing a short explaination. I'm just curious. I may reread this book.
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Sure, love to - it's been a while, and I don't want to spoil it for anyone, (so skip the next few lines if you want to read it for yourself without my take on things in the back of your mind)
The story tells the story of this mans quest to find truth and meaning - in his earlier years he stumbles across a paradox - when he discovers the answer to the paradox, it forces him to struggles with his ego. He achieves a level of understanding, and is then forced to recoil from it. It is only at the very end of the book that he again becomes whole.
Much of the book deals with the nature of 'classical' with the romantic thought, and explains in depth the differences of these two approaches, and how 'Quality' is a means by which one can bridge the gap between the two.
What is quality? How can we define it? The point is we can't, we shouldn't, it's something beyond categorisation. Much of the explanations of quality don't come from the detailed explanations in the book, but from descriptions of moments that pass while they are on their trip. So when he describes a landscape through which they are travelling, it is just as important as when he's explaining the difference between groovy people and squares.
It's not all Philosophy, in fact, it's more a narrative of a deeply personal journey, one that is of the utmost importance, and which in the end comes to a wonderful conclusion.
But I'm in no way entitled to describe what the story is about - I just hope I haven't put anyone off. It stands on its own as a marvellous and enjoyable book, that brings a tear to my eye every time I read it.
The text of the book is available at the following address...
http://www.virtualschool.edu/mon/Quality/PirsigZen/