Robert Pirsig
Robert Pirsig
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Robert Kiyosaki is not the subject of this biography, it's actually Robert Pirsig (1928-2017), an American author and philosopher best known for his philosophical novel "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on June 28, 1928
Died on April 24, 2017
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American author, professor, and philosopher.
Early Life and Background
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Pirsig was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to a middle-class family. His father, Frederick Pirsig, was an architect and a professor at the University of Minnesota, while his mother, Hazel Pirsig, was a homemaker. Robert grew up with a passion for philosophy, literature, and music, which would later influence his writing.
Pirsig's early life was marked by turmoil due to his father's mental health struggles. His father suffered from bipolar disorder, and the family eventually moved to Chicago when Robert was nine years old. This experience had a profound impact on Pirsig's perspective on values and meaning in life.
Major Accomplishments
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Pirsig earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota in 1950. He later pursued a Master's degree in philosophy at the University of Chicago, but did not complete it due to financial constraints. After serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, Pirsig taught English and philosophy at several colleges.
Notable Works or Actions
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Pirsig's magnum opus, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", was published in 1974. This philosophical novel explores the relationship between values and meaning in life through a narrative that combines elements of Zen Buddhism, existentialism, and science. The book became an international bestseller, selling over 5 million copies worldwide.
In addition to his writing, Pirsig also developed a concept called "Quality", which refers to the inherent value or goodness of something. He believed that Quality was a fundamental aspect of reality, often overlooked in modern society.
Impact and Legacy
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Pirsig's work has had a significant impact on various fields, including philosophy, education, and business. His ideas on Quality have influenced thinkers such as Daniel Quinn, author of "Ishmael", and management theorist Peter Drucker.
"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" has been translated into over 20 languages and remains widely read today. The book's blend of philosophical insight and practical advice has made it a favorite among readers seeking personal growth and self-awareness.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Pirsig is remembered for his thought-provoking ideas on values, meaning, and Quality. His writing style, which combines elements of fiction and nonfiction, makes complex philosophical concepts accessible to a broad audience. As a result, he has become a beloved author among readers seeking wisdom and insight into the human condition.
Today, Pirsig's work continues to inspire new generations of thinkers, artists, and entrepreneurs. His legacy serves as a reminder that true understanding and growth come from embracing the complexities of life with an open mind and a willingness to question assumptions.
Quotes by Robert Pirsig
To live for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top.
Right thoughts produce right actions and right actions produce work which will be a material reflection for others to see of the serenity at the center of it all
It is a puzzling thing. The truth knocks on the door and you say, ""Go away, I'm looking for the truth,"" and so it goes away. Puzzling.
Когда навязчивые иллюзии появляются у одного человека, это сумасшествие. Когда они появляются сразу у многих, это религия.
An evolutionary morality argues that The North was right in pursuing that war because a nation is a higher form of evolution than a human body and the principle of human equality is an even higher form than a nation
That's the way it is. The intelligence of the mind can't think of any reason to live, but it goes on anyway because the intelligence of the cells can't think of any reason to die
Morals can't function normally because morals have been declared intellectually illegal by the subject object metaphysics that dominates present social thought
If you eliminate suffering from this world you eliminate life. There's no evolution. Those species that don't suffer don't survive. Sometimes the insane and the contrarians and the ones who are the closest to suicide are the most valuable people society has. They may be the precursors of social change. They've taken the burdens of the culture onto themselves and in their struggle to solve their own problems they're solving problems for the culture as well
Within the classic mode, however, the romantic has some appearances of his own. Frivolous, irrational, erratic, untrustworthy, interested primarily in pleasureseeking. Shallow. Of no substance. Often a parasite who cannot of will not carry his own weight. A real drag on society.