Dieter Henrich (1927-2022) was one of the most influential philosophers of post-war Germany. At the center of his extensive work—even where it is not explicitly addressed—lies the theory of self-consciousness and human subjectivity. Over more than sixty years, Henrich engaged with the related questions in a wealth of texts. However, due to the complexity and diversity of these works, as well as the fact that Henrich rarely provided an overview of his theory, many readers have found the connections unclear. Additionally, his theory has changed significantly over time. Holger Gutschmidt's introduction to Henrich's theory of self-consciousness analyzes the development of Henrich's position from its beginnings. It addresses important influences on Henrich's teachings and discusses central debates surrounding his theses. Gutschmidt also highlights the limitations and challenges of Henrich's various approaches. Despite some attempts to present and discuss Henrich's work in context, this has not been achieved as completely, concisely, and transparently anywhere else as in this introduction. It is also recommended for readers who, while interested in the substantive issues, have not had much engagement with Henrich's work so far.