--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What the classical formalists meant by…" description: "\"“What the classical formalists meant by the objection “Quality is just what you like” was that this subjective, undefined “quality” he was teaching was..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/robert-m-pirsig-817_composition_what-the-classical-formalists-meant-by-t_1259634.jpg" --- # What the classical formalists meant by the objection… ![“What the classical formalists meant by the objection “Quality is just what you like” was that this subjective, undefined “quality” he was teaching was just romantic surface appeal. Classroom popularity contests could determine whether a composition had immediate appeal, all right, but was this…” quote by Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/robert-m-pirsig-817_composition_what-the-classical-formalists-meant-by-t_1259634.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/robert-m-pirsig-817_composition_what-the-classical-formalists-meant-by-t_1259634.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/robert-m-pirsig-817_composition_what-the-classical-formalists-meant-by-t_1259634.jpg) > ““What the classical formalists meant by the objection “Quality is just what you like” was that this subjective, undefined “quality” he was teaching was just romantic surface appeal. Classroom popularity contests could determine whether a composition had immediate appeal, all right, but was this Quality? Was Quality something that you “just see” or might it be something more subtle than that, so that you wouldn’t see it at all immediately, but only after a long period of time?”” [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote questions whether quality can be judged instantly or requires deeper, long‑term experience, contrasting superficial popularity with lasting value. **In simple terms:** Quality may need time to be recognized. Key Takeaway Seek depth over immediate appeal. Themes quality subjectivity perception time evaluation Mood contemplative critical inquisitive Type philosophical reflective analytical When to use this quote - education - art criticism - product design - personal growth Key Concepts phenomenology aesthetics epistemology Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate fleeting appeal from lasting value? - Can you trust first impressions? A Different Perspective Immediate popularity may not reflect true quality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Classical Formalists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classical-formalists-3999754/) [Composition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/composition/) [Composition Immediate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/composition-immediate-3999755/) [Objection Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objection-quality-3999753/) [Subjective Undefined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subjective-undefined-3999756/) ## Related quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Oil companies are radical because they're willing to alter the chemical composition of the atmosphere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/oil-companies-are-radical-because-they-re-willing-to-alter-the/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [If you really want to be a good archaeologist, you have to understand ancient DNA; you have to understand chemical analysis to figure out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-parcak/if-you-really-want-to-be-a-good-archaeologist-you-have-to-understand/) [Sarah Parcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-parcak/) > [If measure and symmetry are absent from any composition in any degree, ruin awaits both the ingredients and the composition... 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