Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance summary
Robert Pirsig
An Inquiry into Values
11 mins
Brief summary
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig is a philosophical book that explores the meaning of quality through a motorcycle road trip. It challenges the idea of objective reasoning and encourages introspection and appreciation for the complexity of life.
Topics
Table of Contents
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Summary of 5 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 5
Western thought is split in half, and one half is the rational, unemotional “classical” mode.
The narrator’s journey begins at the start of a motorcycle road trip he’s planned with his son, Chris, and a married couple, John and Sylvia Sutherland.
On a philosophical level, the narrator represents the classical mode of thinking, while the Sutherlands represent the romantic.
Using the metaphor of motorcycle maintenance, the classical mode of thought finds its expression in the rational knowledge and expertise of an engineer or mechanic.
A classical thinker like a mechanic understands all the technical details that make a machine function, how they all fit together and, importantly, how to find what’s wrong and fix it if the machine malfunctions.
When presented with an engine, for example, a classical mind is fascinated by the rich underlying symbols and functions of form that make a machine work – the gears, the belts, the pistons and all the complicated interactions that make a machine what it is.
Looking beyond motorcycle maintenance, other examples of classical thinking include things such as the scientific method, logic and mathematics.
These fields are underpinned by highly systematic, reliable and rational systems. They abide by an established set of rules that have been tested and verified. Each new innovation within a system is built upon pre-existing norms, which are themselves built upon the same standards and rules – thus making the classical mode of thought predictable, straightforward and unemotional.
Ultimately, the classical mode aims to bring control and order to the chaos of the world.
Want to see all full key ideas from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
Key ideas in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance about?
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (1974), using the allegory of a motorcycle road trip, guides you through one man’s questionings of the philosophical and metaphysical order of the world.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Review
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (1974) explores the relationship between philosophy, technology, and the pursuit of quality. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- With its profound philosophical exploration, it challenges readers to reflect on the meaning of life and the ways in which we engage with the world.
- Blending travelogue, memoir, and philosophical inquiry, the book offers a unique and compelling narrative that keeps readers captivated throughout.
- By weaving together past and present, reason and intuition, the book offers insights that are thought-provoking and applicable to challenges in our own lives.
Who should read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
- People searching for the key to what makes a good life
- Fans of author Jack Kerouac or the Beat Generation
- Artists or creatives who feel they just don’t fit in
Categories with Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Book summaries like Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance FAQs
What is the main message of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
The main message of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is finding meaning and quality in life through the pursuit of excellence.
How long does it take to read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
The reading time for Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance a good book? Is it worth reading?
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is worth reading as it explores the intersection of philosophy, personal growth, and the pursuit of quality in a unique and thought-provoking way.
Who is the author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
The author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is Robert Pirsig.
What to read after Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
If you're wondering what to read next after Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
- Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche
- The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama
- Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss
- The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- Uncommon by Mark Divine
- On the Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche