Zen and the Art of Higher Education Maintenance: Bridging Classic and Romantic Notions of Quality
Date
1999-09
Authors
Shields, Patricia M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
In the classic Zen and the Art of Motor Cycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig clarifies the meaning of quality in higher education. He identifies two ways of viewing quality - classic and romantic. He argues that the fullest meaning of quality contains both. Using Pirsig's insight as a point of departure, this article explores the nature of both romantic and classic quality in higher education. The ideas of Alfred Whitehead are used to clarify the nature of romantic quality in university life. Finally, the contemporary Quality literature is examined using insights from Pirsig, Dewey and Whitehead.
Description
Keywords
quality in higher education, Pirsig, Robert, zen, Political Science
Citation
Shields, P. M. (1999). Zen and the art of higher education maintenance: Bridging classic and romantic notions of quality. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 21(2), pp. 165-178.