In life, every being has something that influences the decisions it makes, the actions it does and the reasons it gives. Like an engine drives a car, passion drives humans, it can cause us to start a world war just like passion can be the only reason that we are at peace with ourselves. Among the multitude of themes and ideas that Pirsig explores in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, passion is the one that stands out the most because it is this that allows for all his other complex ideas to be explained and to fall into place.
One of the first issues that Pirsig identifies in the novel is the clash between humans and technology. The relationship between these two is very complex and cannot be easily explained. It can be said however that the way some people like the Sutherland's cannot seem to come to terms with technology, there are others like the narrator who have found a way to embrace it. The narrator uses his motorcycle as his portal to unify the human world with the world of technology. He believes, and acts upon his belief that embracing technology and learning to control it is the only way for it not to control you. The main character understand that technology is a necessary evil and that it is here to stay, instead of letting it run his life, he decides to learn to keep it under control. Pirsig uses the motorcycle to exemplify this decision. When the Sutherland’s bike breaks down, they curs it and give up, they believe that their day has been ruined because technology has destroyed it. The narrator refuses to let technology ruin his day, he decides that he will fix the bike and continue on with his plans. It is important to note that although the narrator does whatever it takes to make his technology function, he does it himself. He refuses to let other fight his battles for him, this is not to say that he is a stubborn man, there is a reason behind this. The narrator believes that the only way to do something right it to doe it oneself. He doesn't want others to cope with his technology for him because he wants it done right and thus he does it himself. His methodical ways pay off because his bike always turns on and it runs smoothly for most of the trip, and whenever it does give him problems, he always knows exactly what to do to fix it.
His passion for motorcycles extends a bit beyond coping with technology. This passion enables the narrator to set his roots into the earth. These long motorcycle trips with his son give this man an out from all the troubles in his daily life, they allow him to clear his head and get back in touch with nature and his family. It is thanks to this passion that the narrator is able to to keep his sanity and is able to be victorious in the never ending struggle between humans and technology.
Technology is a very interesting topic of discussion. It has made our lives significantly easier, that is the common belief, most people would tend to agree that technology has helped our world become a better place. Sure its has connected us in a way never before thought possible, technology has made traveling the world and interacting with other cultures possible, but its has also created a culture of its own. This, I would argue is not so good. The emergence of technology has created a culture of dependance that has disallowed us as humans to completely disconnect and enjoy simple things in life without feeling obliged to interact with technology.
This leaves us with only two viable options. First, we can be like the Sutherlands and try to avoid technology as much as possible. Though the Sutherlands love their motorcycle and love riding it, they do not feel the need to keep up with the maintenance of it. They hate having to deal with it because they do not understand it. They choose to enjoy the benefits of technology without learning how it works. Though superficially this may sound good, it creates for them a situation in which their technology controls them. If their motorcycle breaks down or gets a flat tire, they are completely stranded. They have no way of controlling their technology and thus live in constant fear because they are under its control. The next option is of course to learn to control technology. This option takes much hard work and dedication but in the end, it pays off because it allows us to live free of the fear that our technology, which is made to help us, will ultimately end up hurting us. The narrator chooses this option and he uses his passion for motorcycles to accomplish his goal of controlling technology. The narrator realizes that human society has reached a point where it can no longer function to its maximum potential without technology. He decides to embrace this idea and learn to control technology before it controls him. Starting with the single piece of technology that he is most passionate about, his motorcycle, the narrator learns everything there is to know about maintaining a motorcycle, he wasn't to be the owner of his motorcycle, not a slave to it. The narrator decides that he is the person most qualified to care for his motorcycle because nobody else is as passionate about it as he is. This passion has driven him to become the type of person who embraces the ongoing technological revolution. He sees people like the Sutherlands drowning in their own misery as they are consumed by technology they cannot comprehend and he decides that he will not be a part of the group of people who are left behind. The narrator’s strive towards learning about and ultimately controlling his technology through his passion of motorcycles has allowed him to live in peace and harmony with the rest of society, both human and machine.
Phaedrus is described almost immediately as a man with a vast knowledge not only academic but philosophical knowledge as well. He is a truly wise man. This wisdom and knowledge however is not free, he attained this through passion, a passion for learning. His passion was so strong that it ultimately led to his demise but it did however allow Phaedrus to do some good as well. HIs insatiable desire to learn led him to create a revolutionary system of education and it inspired students with a true passion for learning similar to his own.
Phaedrus realized that teaching stems from the teacher’s own desire to learn. He did all that he could to nurture that desire within his students. He strived to teach students who were really interested in expanding their horizons and extending their knowledge base beyond simply receiving a grade. A similar passion is seen through the narrator as he attempts to teach Carl the basics of motorcycle maintenance. His passion for learning every this he possibly can about caring for a motorcycle is so powerful that he strongly desires to nurture that same passion in another person. Unfortunately for the narrator, Carl does not posses a semblance of passion or desire for learning about motorcycle maintenance and for that reason, lack of passion, he is never able to learn anything on the subject.
Phaedrus tried to inspire his students to be passionate about learning so that they would not have to suffer similar misfortune. He created a system where grades were nonexistent and a students punishment for not studying is his of her deprival of the knowledge that is being offered. Phaedrus relied on his students’ intrinsic motivation to learn and become more well rounded and knowledgeable individuals. He strived to teach students who were motivated to grow intellectually and shared a similar passion. He wanted his students to be motivated to study and learn, not for the grade that they would receive, not for the number of questions right over the number of questions wrong. He wanted students who studied and learned because they knew that is what they want, because they did not want to be left in the dark. He wanted students with a passion to see the light.
Phaedrus’ system without grades relied on his students’ ability to see the long term rewards of learning and becoming knowledgeable. His students needed to see that it is in their best long term interest not only to learn as much material as possible in order to expand their knowledge base, but also to nurture a passion for learning. Perhaps the latter being most important. A passion for learning is essential in life for a person to be well rounded and well adapted to culture and society.
This same passion for learning is what has driven Phaedrus to make a change in the world. He is driven by this passion to show students that hard work always pays off, that there is no need for traditional evaluation methods because each individual will some day reap the benefits of his or her own hard work. He wants his students to understand that learning is very valuable because the things you learn can never be taken from you and the passion you nurture for learning will carry you throughout your life and it is what will differentiate you from the rest. Phaedrus uses his passion for learning to show his students that curiosity really did not kill the cat, a curiosity to explore the work both natural and academic is what makes an intelligent and well rounded individual. The only way to achieve this is through a passion for learning. Phaedrus uses his to change other and make them understand what he believes is best for students.
The narrator also employs his passion for learning to change others, this is made evident is his conversations with Carl about motorcycle maintenance. The narrator is so passionate about that topic that he will do anything to convince Carl that it is worth while. The reader can detect the frustration within the narrator when Carl refuses to see the importance and value of learning motorcycle maintenance. the narrator will not cease until he is able to change the way people view and adapt to technology.
Works Cited
Pirsig, Robert M.. Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance: an inquiry into values,. New York: Morrow, 1974. Print.
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