University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

Dr. Scott E. Lindner Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Book Title: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Author: Robert M. Pirsig

Selection Statement:

This is a journey of a father and his son becoming whole again. The father, Phaedrus, is a college professor who uses didactic methods to dive deeply into why some things are better than others (“what is best?” instead of “what is new?”) and applies it to what drives people to learn, or to simply check the box and get a degree. While this pursuit breaks him, with the help of his young son he reconciles these questions and answers and finds healing for himself and his son.


Year: 2020