Knowing About Knowledge

Knowing About Knowledge

“Sometimes it's a little better to travel than to arrive” - Robert M. Pirsig

Robert Pirsig’s acclaimed novel, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, recalls the events that took place on his summer motorcycle journey across the Midwest with his son, Chris and two friends, John and Sylvia. During the course of his vast travels, Pirsig arrives at many philosophical conclusions in order better explain the meaning the of life. Early in the book, Pirsig takes an in-depth look at the topic of knowledge. He claims that prominent laws of science are nonexistent, and that the only reason we accept them is because as humans, we are the subjects of mass hypnosis. Pirsig’s views on knowledge can be effectively linked to those of John Locke and Plato.

Chapter Three begins with the group’s departure from the Red River Valley. Storm clouds were looming overhead, and the group of motorcyclists decided it would be best to seek shelter. They arrived at a motel where they would rest briefly, and eventually head into town for dinner. After dinner, they walked back to the motel and relaxed in its courtyard. In an attempt at entertainment, Chris suggests that the group sing songs. This notion was quickly rejected, and the group decided to tell stories. After some time, the topic of ghosts came up. Chris inquired the group whether or not they believed in them.

Pirsig states that he does not believe in ghosts because they are “un-sci-en-ti-fic” (30). He claims that: “They contain no matter, and have no energy and therefore, according to the laws of science, do not exist except in people’s minds” (30). Pirsig then claims that since the laws of science contain no matter or energy, they too are non-existent. He uses the law of gravity to back his claim. He explains to John that “…before the beginning of the earth, before the sun and the starts were formed, before the primal generation of anything, the law of gravity existed” (Pirsig 32). John agrees with statement, until Pirsig further elaborates and says: “Sitting there, having no mass of its own, not in anyone’s mind because there wasn’t anyone, not in space because there was no space either, not anywhere-this law of gravity still existed?” (33). What Pirsig means is that it is impossible for

A second claim that Pirsig makes during his philosophical discourse of knowledge is that as humans, we are inclined to believe just about anything. When John becomes very puzzled at Pirsig’s accusations on laws of science, he inquires: “Why does everybody believe in the law of gravity then?” (33) Pirsig bluntly answers: “Mass-hypnosis. In a very orthodox form known as вЂ?educationвЂ™Ð²Ð‚Ñœ (33). John finds this assumption that teacher’s hypnotize their students into believing subject matter such as the law of gravity, but Pirsig finds it to be quite accurate. It is human nature to accept and believe anything we hear, such as the law of gravity. We label things as being items of “common-sense.” Pirsig also believes that there is no existence outside of the human imagination. He states that laws of sciences and ghosts are human inventions which we create, and eventually learn to live by.

John Locke claims that acquiring knowledge requires experience. Although knowledge such as math and logic cannot be acquired through experience, Locke claims that “…these systems of belief are not knowledge of the world. Instead, the beliefs of logic and math are simply true by definition” (Wall 232). He believes that our primary knowledge of the world is gained by observations through the senses, which is known as perception. Locke’s views differ from that of a rationalist with his belief that innate ideas or rational ideas which reveal the nature of the world are nonexistent. Reception is also a part of Locke’s theory of knowledge. He believes that we learn through imagining, thinking, willing and deciding. I think that this type of knowledge if this type of knowledge that Pirsig feels humans have. He believes that we our knowledge comes from what we see and hear through experiences. We accept scientific laws and theories because they are true by definition, they require no further speculation. What we believe is to be true is what we acquire through what we see, hear, and do.

Plato claims that the knowledge we acquire through our senses (what we see, hear, taste, smell, and touch) is only applicable to the commonsense world. Although these things seem to be real, they “maybe be nothing but a world of shadows, or appearances, compared to what really exists on a deeper level” (Wall 65). Real knowledge can only be acquired through our minds and intellect. Plato believed our mind to be both capable and responsible for seeking true knowledge. He also said that understanding is a fundamental part of knowledge.

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