This from Phaedrus:
"The number of rational hypotheses that can explain any given phenomenon is infinite (p. 139, ZAMM)".
Pirsig next tells us that "it pleased him (Phaedrus) never to run out of hypotheses". Am currently re-reading ZAMM, largely in response to the deep impression that Shop Class as Soulcraft had on me (see Nice Job). I must say, I agree with Phaedrus about hypotheses. Facile explanations of biological phenomena should always be viewed with caution. [NOTE: Photo shows Robert Pirsig and son, Chris, at a rest stop in North Dakota during the motorcyle trip on which Zen and the Art of Motocycle Maintenance is based].