The innovative characteristic of the book lies in its tackling the topic of individualism from the original point of view of a theory of passions . It underlines the importance of the problem of the passions both in forming individual identity and building the social bond . It proposes to contrast the pathological effects of egoistical passions (acquisitive passion and passion of the Self), which are dominant in modernity, with empathetic and solidaristic passions, exemplified in the phenomenon of the gift.