This book investigates the historical erosion of the concept of the human soul as a unified, conscious entity in the face of modern scientific and technological advancements. William Barrett, a noted philosopher and scholar of existentialism, examines the shift from the Cartesian dualism of the 17th century to the contemporary reductionist view of the mind as a computational machine. He argues that this transition has profound implications for human agency, morality, and our understanding of what it means to be a person in a world increasingly dominated by technical rationality.

Scholars and readers often identify this work as a significant critique of the dehumanizing tendencies inherent in modern technological paradigms. Experts frequently note the accessibility of Barrett's prose, which manages to distill complex philosophical shifts into a coherent narrative for both academic and general audiences.