In an era where the cult of the self has become a religion, this book dissects the roots and consequences of the extreme individualism that characterizes contemporary Western society. From the historical influence of Lutheranism to the rise of identity politics, the authors reveal how the obsession with individual freedom has eroded the family and community ties that traditionally gave meaning to human existence. BEYOND THE MIRROR OF INDIVIDUAL AUTONOMY. The demographic crisis, the rise of pets as substitutes for family, the epidemic of loneliness and the triumph of self-exploitation are symptoms of a society that has taken individualism to its ultimate consequences. This book not only identifies the causes of this social transformation, but also offers a hopeful perspective on how to restore human bonds without renouncing personal freedom. Through an interdisciplinary analysis that encompasses psychology, sociology and theology, this work reveals how the triumph of individualism has generated a paradox: while we celebrate personal autonomy as the highest aspiration, we are facing an epidemic of loneliness, depression and unprecedented social disconnection. A lucid and courageous diagnosis of our times that proposes a return to the balance between individual freedom and community ties as the only way to heal the fractured social fabric of the West. "This is a brave book. With acute wisdom, it examines the roots of contemporary individualism, revealing how its expansion has affected mental health and social equilibrium in the West. An interdisciplinary analysis that invites critical reflection and proposes a return to community as an antidote to the malaise of our time. Alberto Gil Ibáñez