I found
these next two chapters very interesting, apart from the fact that they are
still traveling and that his mind is trailing off. His thoughts in these
chapters were easier to understand. I conform to the stereotype that the
narrator describes. He believes people think that mechanics only do labor. I
had never realized that they had so many things to check, so many things to
think about. And then he compares a mechanic to a scientist. I understand where
he is coming from and agree partly. I agree that if someone reached a
conclusion that is not what was predicted, it was not a failure. But I do not
agree with the fact that if a scientist reaches a conclusion he knew would
occur, it is not a true experiment. This is because the scientist may be proving
the occurrence to be true. On another note, I do not believe that school gives
us busywork. Sure, some classes may, but overall I believe we learn something
from the work given to us. I can only speak for the schools I have attended,
but overall a student will learn at some point during their attendance at school
and I have never thought that the sciences would result in busy work. I also
found it interesting that the author is able tot each as the book goes on, for
example the explanation on what inductive and deductive logic. The
narrator introduces many different topics after bringing up the mechanics of a
motorcycle. I am finally beginning to understand the title of the novel.
A blog dedicated to the in depth study of the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and its author Robert M. Pirsig, by the 2nd period AP Literature Class group.
I agree with everything Shannon said. I am also part of the stereotype that the narrator described. When I think of mechanics, I never really appreciate all the little things they need to do in order to successfully complete their job. Now, I am more aware of the tedious tasks that mechanics are left with, and I feel that they are underappreciated for their difficult work. I, too, never thought about how mechanics act like scientists. As for the narrator's theories regarding scientists, I agree with Shannon that experiments where the hypothesis is not met are not failures. The importance of an experiment is discovering the truth, rather than reaching a point where the scientist has to be correct. Whether or not a scientist's hypothesis is correct does not determine if an experiment is a true experiment. With regards to classes, I think busywork is minimal. Of couse there are some teachers that assign busywork, but that is bound to happen. Students learn from school, not only from teachers, but from hearing the ideas and perspectives of other students.
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