
The Art of Losing Control
A Philosopher's Search for Ecstatic Experience
Jules Evans(Author)
Canongate Books (Publisher)
Published on 25. April 2017
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-1-78211-867-1 (ISBN)
Description
Humans have always sought ecstatic experiences - moments where they go beyond their ordinary self and feel connected to something greater than them. Such moments are fundamental to human flourishing, but they can also be dangerous.
Beginning around the Enlightenment, western intellectual culture has written off ecstasy as ignorance or delusion. But philosopher Jules Evans argues that this diminishes our reality and denies us the healing, connection and meaning that ecstasy can bring.
He sets out to discover how people find ecstasy in a post-religious culture, how it can be good for us, and also harmful. Along the way, he explores the growing science of ecstasy, to help the reader - and himself - learn the art of losing control.
Jules' exploration of ecstasy is an intellectual and emotional odyssey balancing personal experience, interviews and readings from ancient and modern philosophers that will change the way you think about how you feel. From Aristotle and Plato, via the Bishop of London and Sister Bliss, radical jihadis and Silicon Valley transhumanists, The Art of Losing Control is a funny and life-enhancing journey through under-explored terrain.
Beginning around the Enlightenment, western intellectual culture has written off ecstasy as ignorance or delusion. But philosopher Jules Evans argues that this diminishes our reality and denies us the healing, connection and meaning that ecstasy can bring.
He sets out to discover how people find ecstasy in a post-religious culture, how it can be good for us, and also harmful. Along the way, he explores the growing science of ecstasy, to help the reader - and himself - learn the art of losing control.
Jules' exploration of ecstasy is an intellectual and emotional odyssey balancing personal experience, interviews and readings from ancient and modern philosophers that will change the way you think about how you feel. From Aristotle and Plato, via the Bishop of London and Sister Bliss, radical jihadis and Silicon Valley transhumanists, The Art of Losing Control is a funny and life-enhancing journey through under-explored terrain.
Reviews / Votes
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, author of The Book of Barely Imagined Beings 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 * * An important book, because it reminds us philosophy is not just about analysis. It's also about the good life -- MATTHEW SYED * * The Times on Philosophy for Life * * Instructive and thought-provoking . . . shows philosophy is not just for stuffy classrooms * * Financial Times on Philosophy for Life * * 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 LifeMore details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Product notice
With dust jacket
Illustrations
an 8pp colour inset
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 162 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
561 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78211-867-1 (9781782118671)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
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 19 countries and was a Times Book of the Year. Jules has written for The Times, Financial Times, Guardian, Spectator and WIRED and is a BBC New Generation Thinker. He also runs the London Philosophy Club, the world's biggest philosophy club. @julesevans77