Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
And Quality Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as written by Robert Pirsig, focuses on a number of philosophical life values. These values include quality, identity, duality, and Zen. This paper will focus mainly on the subject of quality and the effect dwelling on its definition had on Pirsig. Pirsig has put an incredible amount of thought into defining Quality. Starting just about at the start of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, the subject of Quality is introduced. Pirsig explains that this journey is considered to be a Chautauqua of sorts, focused on a number of philosophical ideas, including the question, “What is good”? Pirsig’s meditative and calm view on his surroundings can be attributed to his focus on that very question, and perhaps because his behavior is considered strange, society could do with some thought on the question. Pirsig explores the other philosophical life values in the next few chapters, especially focusing on the difference between Classical and Romantic views. Quality is not mentioned again until Chapter 15, where Pirsig and Chris revisit the college where Pirsig’s former self, Phaedrus, taught. While at the college, Pirsig comes across his old office, and is overcome with memories of his breakthroughs in philosophical thought. One of these memories is of a woman named Sarah, who stopped by his office to ask if he had begun teaching the idea of Quality to his students. This is an
Question #1 If you were CEO of Harley-Davidson, how would you compare the advantages and disadvantages of using exports, joint ventures, and foreign subsidiaries as ways of expanding international sales?
Harley-Davidson, Inc. since its inception has specialized in selling dream motorcycles that are of high quality and distinctive in styles. The company in the past have seen turbulent business environment to the extent of leveraged buyout, infiltration of foreign made bikes as well as government regulations. Yet despite these factors, Harley-Davidson continues to reap profits, yield high growth of approximately 15% a year and retain its customer base (Official Website 2004). This position in the market is however limited to the US whereas in other countries of the world Harley-Davidson products remain luxury item requiring emotional attachment with American iconism.
Throughout the novel, Pi’s thoughts reveal and internal struggle between his desire to live and his own beliefs to what is morally right. Pi grows up on varying religious viewpoints because he studies different religions. His religious diversity forms a moral standard of “dignity not …depravity” (Martel 71). He values dignity and character over corruption of morals initially because he sees
There is no real desire for learning. A personal example such as this one adds a very tangible element to Pharinet’s argument. Before this example, to the reader she is simply another person writing an article and trying to voice her opinion in whatever way possible; however, after this personal example of her encounter with one of her students, the reader is shown her personal connection with the issue. This realization by the reader adds to the likability of the writer and to the believability of the arguments that she is presenting. The presentation of this personal example also reveals new information about the author.
Confronting crises of technological annihilation and personal madness, Robert Pirsig finds each to be a manifestation of a deeper crisis of Reason. In response) he suggests an alternative to our current paradigm of rationality, the "art of motorcycle maintenance." By showing that our understanding and performance derive from our emotional and evaluative commitments, he challenges the cultural commonplace which construes "subjective" states as distortions of "objective" reality. In so doing, he asserts that "wholeness" or sanity may be achieved only through "passionate caring," and an awareness and acceptance of how our emotions and values shape our
The quality of engineering and the safety are other essential points that the marketing plan should include. These parameters are important for both age groups. Having certain extra safety features on the motorcycles can contribute to the need of the younger buyers. Because there funds are low there has to be consideration toward what is affordable. There are possibilities that parents might help to purchase. Within seeing the extra safety features on the car. Quality of engineering is important to the life of the motorcycle. Indeed this will assure the long lifespan and the quality put into all products sold by this organization.
As individuals we all have our own perspective on what would amount to quality. With regards to the general public we are a nation of extreme diversity, with individuals and families from a wide-range of nations, cultures, personal beliefs and superstitions. Therefore, quality may and will have contrasting opinions, or values, an example could be as follows: Each of us having a fine meal at a restaurant may or would have contrasting opinion on the setting, service, and the overall quality of the food.
In Robert Pirsig’s semi-autobiographical text Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Pirsig shares a real-life experience about a motorcycle journey from Minneapolis to Montana with his son, Chris, and two friends, John and Sylvia. On this trip, they don’t have a precise schedule, but instead they let the uncrowded roads that cars avoid, show them the way. As the bare roads are being traveled upon, the narrator begins to reveal mysterious things about himself, his companions, and his past. The narrator’s actions and memories trigger him to tell lessons and lectures that are more significant than motorcycle maintenance. The relationships the narrator has with each character, especially his son, play a huge role in the suspense of the book and his split personality that is briefly discussed. The rhetorical usage of mixed genres help balance out the text making it
myth that quality is simply a feeling of 'excellence'. His view is that once a
As for South America, Harley-Davidson Inc. HOG +0.31% opened a permanent Latin America headquarters, joining a growing list of U.S. companies looking to tap into the emerging market. (By Melodie Warner in Market Watch) South America has a growing economy and a huge acceptance for an icon in the motorcycle industry like Harley Davidson. In the same way Japan embraced Harley “Their economy is a fast growing luxury market” p.c11.
Since the founding of Harley-Davidson in 1903 by Arthur and Walter Davidson and William Harley, the company has a rich heritage and a loyal following. The company has proven to be resilient and innovative throughout the years. They have made their fair share of mistakes, especially while under the ownership of AMF, whose decisions almost destroyed Harley-Davidson. They have also made an inspiring come back, recapturing their share of the market and more. Harley-Davidson has managed to attract all sorts of riders including motorcycle “rebels”, women and blue and white color workers. In fact, in our church small group there are two
The website of Harley Davidson gave us a new concept of Motorcycles! The extension of this website is exceptional. The virtual Customer Service in this website is notorious and extremely helpful. From other motorcycles websites this is one of the most professionals ones where the customer can get a flavor of the company from products up to their businesses profits and others...Harley Davidson publishes material related to all aspects of their motorcycles and provides to their own and the general public good information, expanding their products and other services with local information for countries around the world. Their information and technology, including digital libraries, metadata, authorization and
The Buell division needs to continue to produce a quality motorcycle under Harley’s brand name
Juran’s definition of quality focuses 100% of the customer’s satisfaction of the product. He stresses a balance between product features and products free from deficiencies and believes a quality product is free from deficiencies (Suarez, 1992, p.4). In order to achieve this
Quality is never an accident it is always the results of high intention, sincere efforts, intelligent directions and skillful execution, it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.