Disparaître de soi

In the book “The Disappearance of the Self,” David Le Breton takes us on a philosophical journey to explore the concept of individuality in modern societies. He highlights how individual identity has been eroded under the weight of social and cultural pressures, where individuals become more integrated into the group at the expense of their own distinctiveness. The writer raises bold questions about the reasons for this disappearance and how a person can rediscover their lost self.

Le Breton analyzes the phenomenon of “disappearance” as an existential crisis, where the individual feels inner emptiness and isolation despite being connected to the virtual world. He connects this transformation with the anthropological changes that have shaped our view of the body and the soul, explaining how the self has become a prisoner of external standards that limit its freedom.

The book provides a deep vision of the role of adolescence as a critical stage in the formation of identity, where young people struggle between the desire to belong and the search for a unique meaning for their existence. It also discusses how physical practices such as tattoos or fasting become expressive forms of losing the self or trying to regain it.

Using an anthropological perspective, Le Breton calls for the creation of new expressive tools that help the individual break social and cultural constraints. He emphasizes that the liberation of the self does not come through denial or isolation, but through a deeper understanding of ourselves and our societies, and the rediscovery of the individual spirit that distinguishes every human being.

The book is not just a theoretical analysis, but an invitation to reflect on the meaning of individual existence in an era dominated by institutions and collective values. It leaves the reader with inspiring questions about how to restore the balance between social integration and the preservation of unique identity.