Robert Pirsig's Lila - Explained

Over the next few weeks I am going to attempt to explain Robert Pirsig's 2nd book.
I first read his 1st book Zen & the Art at 19 and was suddenly struck by the realisation that I was, after all, not alone in the world.
Ten years later when Lila first came out I tried reading it immediately but didn't get far - way over my head.
However, several years later, after my girlfriend of 5 years left me, I tried again and suddenly found I now had sufficient experience & insight to get a handle on it.

It is, in my opinion at least, outstanding and even better than the first - but it is one tough read.
Maybe my interpretation below will help you appreciate it too.

It is at least 10 years since I read Lila (I only read it once) so hopefully I'll be able to give a reasonably fresh account.
I, like Pirsig, have some mental issues although no hospital (yet). I also have a recurring alcohol addiction (see my book below).
I think I may possibly understand Pirsig as well as anyone - or perhaps I don't - but below is my unfolding attempt to explain.
Fasten your seatbelts, ladies, this could be a rough ride.....

Chapter 1

Not a lot happens philosophically here but Pirsig does introduce the physical Lila and his idea of a spiritual lila who seems to represent womankind.

Chapter 2

In this chapter Pirsig focuses on his catalogue of the metaphysical. Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that that examines the nature of reality including the relationship between mind & matter.

It asks questions like "Does reality actually exist?".
This is a question that worried me greatly at about age 8 (when I didn't even know what metaphysics was).
Now I'm older and wiser and it is obvious that reality is an illusion. That fact worries me little now because I know that although reality doesn't exist it doesn't matter much so long as we all continue to participate in the deception.

Pirsig advises us that he maintains his catalogue of ideas about metaphysics on a giant "list" of slips in order to keep his mind free for new ideas.
This I can easily relate to because I run my whole life on lists - I barely have a shit if it isn't written down somewhere!
Seriously though this dependency on lists is an indication of a slight compulsive disorder but Pirsig's use of the technique is understandable because his index is an index of life, the universe & everything.
Keeping that in your head would be not only unhealthy but beyond reason.

Chapters 3, 4 & 5

OK a bit of history creeps into the plot. Pirsig (Phaedrus) purusing his catalogue of metaphysics remembers that long ago he met Dusenberry who introduced him to the Indians & anthropology.
Phaedrus got interested in anthropology but found he (like Dusenberry) didn't like the objectivity imposed by American-style anthropology.
He eventually decides to attack it via Quality (the philosophical subject of Zen & the Art).

Not yet (IMHO) got to the more interesting stuff - this is mostly historical background and scene-setting.

Chapters 6 & 7

Back in the present, Pirsig & Rigel (one of his temporary companions) have an argument about quality and morals.
After Rigel leaves, Pirsig discusses Rigel with Lila.
"Quality is morality", Pirsig states - we have finally begun "Lila" proper, our "Inquiry into Morals".

Chapter 8

Pirsig takes a quick backward step here to give us a brief recap of Quality (or the Metaphysics of Quality).
I quite like this chapter although it is a bit long-winded and was mostly covered in Zen & the Art.
Basically putting Quality (value) ahead of subjects & objects resolves a lot of scientific anomalies (platypi!).

Chapter 9

This is a big one......to be continued.

Desperately Seeking Sex & Sobriety

Colchester, Essex, England. Local boy makes bad.

After leaving the University of London, ex Colchester Royal Grammar School pupil Paul Pisces' life slowly descends into a web of computers, alcohol, alcoholism and depression.
The brothels of Amsterdam, however, provide some sexual excitement.
Eventually following redundancy he takes up sex tourism in the Far East (Angeles, Philippines & Pattaya, Thailand) to relieve the boredom.
A brief respite is encountered when he finds a job in San Francisco during the internet boom and bust fiasco but ultimately he returns to his alcoholic ways and books a flight back to Bangkok.
From here it is just a short coach ride to Pattaya and a short step to suicide with a shotgun.

Desperately Seeking Sex & Sobriety - Copyright Paul Pisces 2002-2010
(A Cautionary Tale of Sex Tourism, Drugs, Alcohol, Prostitution & Suicide)

Keywords:Robert, Pirsig, Lila, Explained, Sex, Tourism, Amsterdam, Free, Book, Alcohol, Drugs, Suicide, Books, Prostitution, Story

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