Includes bibliographical references (p. 135-139) and index.

Alienation and freedom -- The history of the concept of alienation -- Alienation and the human condition -- The social roots of alienation -- Alienation limits freedom.

Drawing from existentialism, feminism, the thought of Karl Marx and novelists like Dostoevsky, Richard Schmitt looks at modern capitalist societies to understand what it is that might be wrong for individuals. His concern focuses specifically on those who are alienated-- those persons who have difficulty finding meaning in their lives, who lack confidence in themselves and trust in others and, finally, who are constantly distracted by consumer society. He explores how and why alienation occurs. From friendship, love, and work, Alienation and freedom touches on issues meaningful to us all.