As a fundamental characteristic of human existence, Tzvetan Todorov refers to the irreducible dependence of the subject on recognition by others. All worldviews require an Other, even those that seemingly rest on absolute autonomy and sovereignty—none of the extreme concepts proposed by Sade and Bataille can do without it. This book establishes a bridge between philosophy, literature, and psychoanalytic infant research, illustrating how feelings and abilities develop in interaction with another person. Todorov describes the dangers inherent in an excessive drive for self-actualization and autonomy, replacing the lament over the opposition between the individual and society with a vision of shared life, where selflessness and personal fulfillment go hand in hand.