The Art of Losing Control: A Philosopher's Search for Ecstatic Experience

by Jules Evans

Overview

Since the Enlightenment, western culture has written off ecstatic experience as a form of mental illness. But why should rationality be considered the highest part of human nature when we are capable of so many more states of experience?

Piecing together interviews, analysis of ancient and modern philosophy, and his own eclectic encounters with the sublime, philosopher Jules Evans mounts an investigation into what we can gain from mastering the art of losing control. From Aristotle and Plato to the Bishop of London and Sister Bliss, radical jihadis to Silicon Valley transhumanists, The Art of Losing Control is a funny, life-enhancing journey that will change the way you think about how you feel.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782118671
Publisher:	Canongate Books
Publication date:	09/05/2017
Edition description:	Main
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Jules Evans is policy director at the Centre for the History of Emotions at Queen Mary, University of London. He is the author of Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations, which was published in nineteen countries and was a Times Book of the Year. Jules has written for WIRED, Aeon, the Financial Times and the Guardian, and is a BBC New Generation Thinker.

Editorial Reviews

Compelling . . . His sensitivity as a thinker, like his skill as a storyteller, is never in doubt.

Guardian

An original and outstanding investigation into a poorly understood but central experience in all our lives. Jules Evans is brave, honest and wise - a great companion and guide on a fascinating journey.

Caspar Henderson

Fascinating stuff . . . Evans is a natural storyteller and his honesty about his own experience is refreshing and disarming . . . A smart book that delivers on entertainment as well. Evans takes his subject matter seriously but delivers his investigations in an endlessly amusing and eye-opening manner.

Big Issue

A captivating exploration of humanity’s journey toward self-transcendence.

Prospect

In keeping with the ecstatic experience itself, this is a wild, wondrous, wide-eyed journey, and Evans has convinced me at least that it's a trip worth taking.

Psychologist

A revelation

Observer on Philosophy for Life

Brilliant and timely

TOM HODGKINSON on Philosophy for Life

This book saved my life

ADE EDMONDSON on Philosophy for Life

An important book, because it reminds us philosophy is not just about analysis. It's also about the good life

The Times on Philosophy for Life - MATTHEW SYED

An original and outstanding investigation into a poorly understood but central experience in all our lives. Jules Evans is brave, honest and wise - a great companion and guide on a fascinating journey

CASPAR HENDERSON

Instructive and thought-provoking . . . shows philosophy is not just for stuffy classrooms

Financial Times on Philosophy for Life