Using "Mechanics' Logic" talk about Rubin's Happiness Project. What is her motorcycle? How does she apply the scientific method? What hypotheses does she set up and test, refine and test again?
What does she do when her hypotheses give unexpected results? What about when her tests fail? Does she give up on the repair project?
Pirsig essay unabridged: http://fp.arizona.edu/kkh/nats101gc/Pirsig.essay.pdf
I was speeding and instead of talking about fallacies (Chapter 6) we segued into a discussion about deductive and inductive reasoning. For homework, read chapters 6-7 (skimming is fine).
Forecast
We will complete Exercise 7B in class. Other exercises we will complete on Thursday are:
7B Distinguishing Inductive from Deductive Reasoning. We will come back to this chapter after we complete Chapter 6 (fallacies).
Homework
Bring Hacker to class for Thursday, along with THP. Your freewrite will come from Rubin's book THP. We will spend most of the class looking at fallacious arguments pp. 122-149. We will complete Writing Assignment 11 in coming weeks (143-146).
Keep reading Rubin up to September. We will complete the book over the weekend. I noticed some students are really into the Happiness Group Starter Kits. That's excellent! Other students do not want to share their resolutions or personal commandments. That's okay. The conversation can circulate around THP and Rubin's Resolutions, Commandments and Splendid Truths.
I gave students Literature Circle guidelines for their discussions, just in case folks had trouble talking about the book.
The final three essays will look at Happiness as a topic and use three argument forms to discuss the topic. We will most likely start these papers in class. I am still figuring out the logistics on this presently. Thanks for your patience.
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Anthony Gamarra
ReplyDelete04/16/13
Free Write Pirsing vs. Ruben
Today we read Mechanics’ logic, by Robert Pirsing, which talked about the inductive and deductive reasoning a mechanic has to use in order to figure out the problem with a motorcycle. While reading, similarities were found between Pirsings’ motorcycle and Gretchen Rubens’ happiness project. Although Pirsing describes the Scientific Method used in formulating hypothesis as to why the motorcycle is flawed, Ruben unknowingly uses the same method to figure out if she really is in need of a boost in happiness. As Pirsing describes inductive reasoning to describe the effects of a flawed motorcycle; Ruben uses inductive reasoning to describe why her life is in need of more happiness. Along with inductive, both writers use deductive reasoning to describe the processes they use to attain their goal. Pirsing separates his deduction into three parts; the use of the Scientific Method, formulating various hypothesis, and experimentation (all of science itself). Ruben does something similar with her Twelve Commandments.
Pablo R. Hernandez
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
16 April 2013
Comparison
I believe that Gretchen Rubin is using inductive reasoning and Persig uses deductive reasoning. Gretchen Rubin uses her plan as a fail or succeed plan to lead her to happiness, she cannot conclude what will make her happier.
The most important part of the mechanics work is visualization of the motorcycle hierarchy. The mechanic needs to test certain things to narrow down the problem the motorcycle presents. One can read what the plan that the mechanic made and compare that plan to Gretchen’s Happiness plan which are total opposites.
Evelyn Gameros
ReplyDeleteFree Write: Rubin and Pirsig
In the essay called, “Mechanics’ Logic,” by Pirsig the mechanic works step by step in order to solve the problem that the motorcycle has. At the beginning, the mechanic formulates a scientific method. To him this is an experiment that he has to make, which is to figure out what is wrong with the motorcycle. Then, the essay notes, “When I think of formal scientific method an image sometimes comes to mind.” This part of the essay reminds me of Gretchen Rubin in her book called, “The Happiness Project.” At the beginning of her book, she saw herself, her reflection, in the door of a bus. She saw herself and asked herself, “Is this really me.” The same images that the mechanic sees in his mind are the same images that Rubin sees of herself in the bus door. After the images that they have, they both think that it may take a while to solve the problems.
In both the book and the essay I also see how both persons can have a point of realization. This is the point where they both realize that they have to work hard in order to find the problem and fix it. In the essay, the mechanic gets his notebook and pencil to write down all the steps he makes. In the Happiness Project book, Rubin realizes that she needs to make time in order to start her experiment. Therefore, she quits her job and dedicates her time to writing the book and discussing happiness.
As the experiment starts, I would compare the motorcycle to Rubins life. She is seeking for a way to enjoy all the moments in life and live happy. The happiness in her life would then be compared to the motorcycles electrical system. Since the electrical system is what keeps the motorcycle running, happiness would be the drive for Rubins life.
As a result, when something fails, both the mechanic and Rubin do not give up. They try to find an alternative way of fixing the problem.