This book gives an original overview of the question of the self and the other. It brings together contributions by researchers in the fields of philosophy, literature, psychology and the human sciences. The book addresses such questions as : Is it ever possible to understand the individual person without reference to other persons ? Are ipseity and alterity necessarily co-defined ? To what extent does personal identity depend on differences between persons ? Is interpretation of the other person ever complete ? Are communicative practices ever perfect ? To what degree do certain psychopathologies involve a failure of intersubjectivity ? The volume offers a precise and detailed discussion in scientific, philosophical, literary, and ethical perspectives and will be of great interest to researchers and advanced students in all areas interested in the "ipseity and alterity" debate.