Philosophy Archives

There Is No Self in Buddhism, Only Awareness

What does it mean to “go beyond self” in Buddhism? If we have no self, then how can we feel things like love and grief? There is no “self” in Buddhism. Buddhism teaches that each being is part of a universal presence rather than an individual being. It can be very difficult for people, especially Westerners, to go beyond the self because we’re raised to believe that the self is all-important. Continue reading to learn more about the “self”, Buddhism, and Radical Acceptance.

Religion and Morality: Can You Be Good Without God?

What is the connection between religion and morality? Is the belief in God necessary for morality and social order? Holy books such as the Bible and Quran try to draw the connection between morality and religion by conflating the cosmic God and the lawgiver God. But humans don’t need divine law or the threat of hell in order to act morally. Morality is baked into the DNA of humans and all social animals. Keep reading for more about morality and religion.

Science vs Art: Robert Pirsig’s Two Philosophies of Life

What is the difference between science vs art? What does Robert Pirsig say about these differences in his book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, author Robert Pirsig explains the two life philosophies in science vs art. He conveys these through his ideas, and through the differing ideas of fellow travelers. Read more about the difference between science vs art in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Quality of Life: Meaning and How to Find it

What is the quality of life meaning? How does Robert Pirsig explain quality? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig gives the idea of quality of life meaning in a few key ways. He also highlights the importance of striving for quality of life. Read more about the quality of life meaning according to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Explain the Meaning of Life Using Storytelling

How would you explain the meaning of life? What’s the logic behind your meaning-of-life story? Throughout human history, people have come up with countless stories to explain the meaning of life. Interestingly, it doesn’t seem to matter to most people if their stories are logically sound. As long as they give their life a function and conceptualize it within a larger scope, the explanation is deemed satisfactory. Keep reading to see how people attempt to explain the meaning of life using storytelling and consider the logical flaws of these explanations.

The Church of Reason: Finding Spirituality in Knowledge

What is the church of reason in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? How does it affect the philosophy in the book? The church of reason in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is the idea that you can find spirituality through education and learning about life. Robert Pirsig discusses the church of reason as his university. Read more about the church of reason in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

John and Sylvia Sutherland: Travelers in Pirsig’s Book

Who are John and Sylvia Sutherland? What is their role in the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Pirsig and his son Chris travel partly with a couple named John and Sylvia Sutherland. They have several philosophical differences that they discuss throughout their travels. Read more about John and Sylvia Sutherland in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Understanding Complex vs Complicated Systems

What is the difference between complex vs complicated systems? How does the complexity of a system’s structure affect predictions about its future behavior? Systems and the environments in which they operate can be either complicated or complex. The main difference between complex vs complicated systems is that with the former, it is possible to extrapolate the outcomes if the starting conditions are known, whereas, with the latter, the outcomes are impossible to predict. Keep reading to understand the difference between complex vs complicated systems.

The Journey of Life: How to Make Life Worth it

What is the journey of life? How does Robert Pirsig explain this idea in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig uses his motorcycle road trip to help explain the journey of life. He talks about life philosophy, family, and how to find meaning. Read more about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and the journey of life.

Are We Living in the Matrix? The Short Answer Is Yes

Are we living in the matrix? Is reality an illusion? Is everything we experience a product of some sort of existential, or worse, technologically programmed simulation? The idea that reality is an illusion is central to several worldviews (e.g. Buddhism and Hinduism). The concept of the matrix has also been explored in sci-fi movies such as The Matrix and The Truman Show, in which the main characters discover that their entire realities are programmed. Is it possible that we are indeed living in the matrix? And if so, how do we escape? Keep reading for the answer to the question: