The Ego and Its Own (German: Der Einzige und sein Eigenthum; also translated as Me and My Own) is a philosophical work by German philosopher Max Stirner (1806–1856). This work was first published in October 1844, although with a stated publication date of "1845" to confuse the Prussian censors. The Ego and Its Own is a radically individualist critique of modern European civilization and its ideologies, especially Hegelianism and religious thinking. It sets out to promote a unique form of dialectical egoism which is founded on individual autonomy or "Ownness" (Eigenheit). Stirner's book played a role in the decline of left Hegelianism, influenced Karl Marx in his turn towards dialectical materialism and was also an important source for individualist anarchism.