The thesis of the "disappearance of the social" is as provocative as it is dazzling. It can refer - scientifically and empirically - to the social legislation of a society, the social market economy, the principle of the welfare state or - more philosophically - to the social as such, intersubjectivity or social cohesion, the social bond. In the first case, especially under the present conditions, it is perhaps obvious to agree with the thesis, in the second case to reject it. In this anthology, both sides have their say. Renowned academics discuss the thesis of the "disappearance of the social" in all its social-theoretical, cultural-scientific, medical-sociological, jurisprudential-political, psychiatric or psychoanalytical facets. The volume is based on a conference held from 20 to 22 January 2011 at the Heinrich B&ouml ll Foundation in Berlin and organised by the Society for Philosophy and the Sciences of the Psyche (GPWP). With contributions by Gunzelin Schmid Noerr, Matthias Waltz, Andreas Heinz, Johannes Siegrist, Andreas Fisahn, Wolfgang Engler, Kai Vogeley, Hans Pfefferer-Wolf, Joachim K&uuml chenhoff, Michael J&auml ger and Urs St&auml heli.