Bachelor Seminar (Vertiefung) SS 2009

Seminar Topics and References

The seminar is centered around The Metaphysics of Quality (a philosophy, theory about reality) and its influence on scientific design. 

Program for seminar
11.30 Welcome
11.45 A. Grill: The role of institutions academia, goverments, religions) in installing a passion for learning and science
12.15 M. Brunner: Metaphysics of Quality: Static vs. Dynamic Quality
12.45 U. Kastlunger: Quality as a means of unification of holistic,subjective perspective with analytical, objective perspective
13.15 Lunch break
14.00 Invited talk
15.00 Discussion
15.30 Wrap up and closing

 Students are required to take as starting points the following two books by Robert M. Pirsig:

• Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (also available in html and pdf).
• LILA: An Inquiry into Morals

Additional useful reference are:

1. Guidebook to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Ronald L. Di Santo and Thomas J. Steel
2. Lila's Child by Dan Glover
3. A forum for the discussion of Robert M. Pirsig's Metaphysics of Quality: http://www.moq.org/
4. http://ww2.usca.edu/ResearchProjects/ProfessorGurr/Main/HomePage
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirsig%27s_metaphysics_of_quality