This volume investigates the evolution of the concept of the self within the tradition of Continental philosophy from the Enlightenment to the late twentieth century. Robert C. Solomon, a distinguished professor of philosophy, utilizes a historical and thematic framework to trace how European thinkers shifted from the rationalist foundations of the Enlightenment toward the fragmented, deconstructed identities found in Postmodernism. He argues that the history of this movement is best understood as a series of reactions against the rigid structures of German Idealism and the subsequent search for subjective meaning.

Experts frequently cite this work as a highly readable and integrative introduction for students navigating the complexities of European thought. Readers often note that while the text covers a vast historical period, it maintains a clear narrative focus on the development of the self.