Philosophy Archives

Explain the Meaning of Life Using Storytelling

How would you explain the meaning of life? What’s the logic behind your meaning-of-life story? Throughout human history, people have come up with countless stories to explain the meaning of life. Interestingly, it doesn’t seem to matter to most people if their stories are logically sound. As long as they give their life a function and conceptualize it within a larger scope, the explanation is deemed satisfactory. Keep reading to see how people attempt to explain the meaning of life using storytelling and consider the logical flaws of these explanations.

The Church of Reason: Finding Spirituality in Knowledge

What is the church of reason in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? How does it affect the philosophy in the book? The church of reason in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is the idea that you can find spirituality through education and learning about life. Robert Pirsig discusses the church of reason as his university. Read more about the church of reason in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

John and Sylvia Sutherland: Travelers in Pirsig’s Book

Who are John and Sylvia Sutherland? What is their role in the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Pirsig and his son Chris travel partly with a couple named John and Sylvia Sutherland. They have several philosophical differences that they discuss throughout their travels. Read more about John and Sylvia Sutherland in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Understanding Complex vs Complicated Systems

What is the difference between complex vs complicated systems? How does the complexity of a system’s structure affect predictions about its future behavior? Systems and the environments in which they operate can be either complicated or complex. The main difference between complex vs complicated systems is that with the former, it is possible to extrapolate the outcomes if the starting conditions are known, whereas, with the latter, the outcomes are impossible to predict. Keep reading to understand the difference between complex vs complicated systems.

The Journey of Life: How to Make Life Worth it

What is the journey of life? How does Robert Pirsig explain this idea in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig uses his motorcycle road trip to help explain the journey of life. He talks about life philosophy, family, and how to find meaning. Read more about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and the journey of life.

Are We Living in the Matrix? The Short Answer Is Yes

Are we living in the matrix? Is reality an illusion? Is everything we experience a product of some sort of existential, or worse, technologically programmed simulation? The idea that reality is an illusion is central to several worldviews (e.g. Buddhism and Hinduism). The concept of the matrix has also been explored in sci-fi movies such as The Matrix and The Truman Show, in which the main characters discover that their entire realities are programmed. Is it possible that we are indeed living in the matrix? And if so, how do we escape? Keep reading for the answer to the question:

How to Overcome Setbacks: Have Gumption!

Do you want to know how to overcome setbacks? What advice does Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance provide? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, learning how to overcome setbacks in life is another important part of the book’s philosophy. You can use the philosophies in the book, like gumption, to learn how to overcome setbacks in life. Read more about how to overcome setbacks in life using Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

The Phaedrus: A Guide in Philosophical Ideas

Who is the Phaedrus character in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? Why does Robert Pirsig use Phaedrus to convey key ideas? The Phaedrus character in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is Pirsig’s alter ego. He uses Phaedrus to convey his story and key philosophical ideas. Read more about the Phaedrus character in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

What Heaven Will Be Like: Colton Burpo’s Experience

What will Heaven be like according to Colton Burpo? Is it how the Bible describes it? If you’ve ever wondered what Heaven will be like, Colton Burpo describes it in detail in Heaven Is for Real. Colton’s father, Pastor Todd Burpo, said that three-year-old Colton somehow knew details about Heaven from the Bible that he had never told him about. Keep reading for the answer to “what will Heaven be like?” as told by Colton Burpo.

How Do You Define Quality? Here’s Pirsig’s Answer

How do you define quality? How does it work in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? So, how do you define quality? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Pirsig explains that there are several phases of quality, each of which can be achieved by pursuing free and original thought. Keep reading to find out the answer to the question “how do you define quality?”