We discuss the Chautauqua movement in America in the mid nineteenth century and how Robert Pirsig appropriates the term as a device for explaining insights he has about life and which provides a means for him to explain his personal history that leads him down the road to Quality.

We discuss Robert Pirsig’s life history and experiences including the moment in Bozeman when he begins his interest in defining the Quality aspect of his philosophy, the Metaphysics of Quality. We also discuss his approach to teaching at what was then was called Montana State College (now MSU).

Here we begin to unfold the contents of the notes Robert rediscovers that he had written prior to his induced memory loss. These notes contain a treasure trove of information about his pursuit of a new philosophical inquiry based on what Quality is and means.

This first show introduces the program and provides details about how the book was launched and became a big hit. It also goes into some detail about the use of Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) the use of which began in the 1930’s. In 1962, Robert Pirsig involuntarily experienced ECT. The show ends with Robert’s release from the mental hospital and his discovery of boxes of notes written by the person he was before ECT had fouled his memory.