Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations - by Jules Evans (Paperback)

About the Book

Originally published: London: Rider Books, 2012.

Book Synopsis

When philosophy rescued him from an emotional crisis, Jules Evans became fascinated by how ideas invented over two thousand years ago can help us today. He interviewed soldiers, psychologists, gangsters, astronauts, and anarchists and discovered the ways that people are using philosophy now to build better lives. Ancient philosophy has inspired modern communities -- Socratic cafés, Stoic armies, Epicurean communes -- and even whole nations in the quest for the good life.

This book is an invitation to a dream school with a rowdy faculty that includes twelve of the greatest philosophers from the ancient world, sharing their lessons on happiness, resilience, and much more. Lively and inspiring, this is philosophy for the street, for the workplace, for the battlefield, for love, for life.

Review Quotes

"Thought-provoking...shows philosophy is not just for stuffy classrooms."
-- Financial Times

"This wonderful book shows how modern psychology is consistent with the best that was thought in the ancient world. It is also beautifully written."
-- Lord Richard Layard, author of Happiness: Lessons from a New Science

"A brilliant and timely book."
-- Tom Hodgkinson, author of The Freedom Manifesto

"A revelation."
-- Alexander Linklater, The Observer

"Unputdownable!"
-- Kristján Kristjánsson, University of Birmingham Jubilee Centre for Character and Values

About the Author

Jules Evans writes for publications including The Wall Street Journal and The Times of London, gives popular talks on practical philosophy, and runs the Well-Being Project at Queen Mary, University of London. He lives in London.