---

A wise, witty and dynamic guide to the philosophy of human ecstasy from the leading expert in the modern science of ecstatic experience

---

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.

---

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

---

Evans, Jules
Jules Evans is research fellow at the Centre for the History of the Emotions at Queen Mary, University of London. His recent media work include talks or interviews on ecstatic experiences on Radio 3 and Radio 4 (most recently on radio 4´s Archive, about stadium rock as an ecstatic experience), as well as an appearance to talk about drug policy on Newsnight. This summer, he has given talks about the place of ecstasy in modern culture at venues including the British Museum, the National Gallery, and Wilderness and Latitude festivals. He has also spoken internationally at many venues and media, including the Month of Philosophy in Amsterdam, NPR radio, ABC Australia, and the South Korean government´s global publishing conference. His TedX talk has 150,000 hits. Jules also runs practical philosophy workshops with organizations including Arsenal, Saracens, Deloitte, Escape the City, Sunday Assembly, the School of Life and Her Majesty´s Prisons. He has an ongoing involvement in the Stoicism Today research project and is organizing the Stoic Week 2015 conference in November.

---