On Quality: An Inquiry Into Excellence: Unpublished and Selected Writings
nonfiction-collection · First published 2022
Author guide
Robert M. Pirsig Books in Order
Robert Maynard Pirsig (1928–2017) was an American writer and philosopher whose work explores values, quality, consciousness, and the relationship between technology and culture. His major published works include the philosophical novels Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Lila, along with the posthumous collection On Quality, edited by his widow Wendy K. Pirsig. His early educational graphic work Doctor Schnabel was created in 1959.
philosophical fictionliterary nonfictionphilosophy
Catalog record updated .
Robert M. Pirsig's Newest Book
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
Pirsig's first major published work and the best introduction to his central concerns with quality, values, and consciousness.
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (4)
- Doctor Schnabel
graphic-novel · 1959
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
novel · 1974
"The real cycle you're working on is a cycle called 'yourself.'"One of the most important and influential books of the past half-century, Robert M. Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a powerful, moving, and penetrating…
- Lila: An Inquiry into Morals
novel · 1991
Phaedrus is sailing down the Hudson River when he meets Lila Blewitt. He is drawn to her physically and interested in her intellectually. Lila prompts Phaedrus to explore conflicts of values, and finally, he formulates his Metaphysics of…
- On Quality: An Inquiry Into Excellence: Unpublished and Selected Writings
nonfiction-collection · 2022
Frequently asked questions about Robert M. Pirsig
Who was Robert M. Pirsig?
Robert M. Pirsig (1928–2017) was an American writer and philosopher, best known for his 1974 book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
Sources: penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)washingtonpost.com (opens in a new tab)
When and where was Robert M. Pirsig born, and when did he die?
He was born on September 6, 1928, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and died on April 24, 2017, at his home in South Berwick, Maine.
What did Robert M. Pirsig do before becoming a famous author?
Pirsig studied chemistry, philosophy, and journalism, including at the University of Minnesota and Benares Hindu University. He taught at Montana State College and the University of Illinois and worked as a technical writer before his literary success.
Sources: penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)washingtonpost.com (opens in a new tab)
What influenced Robert M. Pirsig's philosophy?
His thinking drew on both Eastern and Western thought, as well as his experience connecting motorcycle maintenance with questions of value and meaning. He called his central philosophical framework the “Metaphysics of Quality.”
Sources: washingtonpost.com (opens in a new tab)theguardian.com (opens in a new tab)
What is Robert M. Pirsig's legacy?
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance sold millions of copies, became a modern cultural classic, and developed a devoted following. Its title also became a widely reused cultural phrase, while its themes continue to connect technology, art, philosophy, and everyday life.
Sources: washingtonpost.com (opens in a new tab)theguardian.com (opens in a new tab)