Object, relations: From Alain's corriger selon l'objet¹ to Winnicott's transitional object

We trace the notion of “object” in the thought of Alain and Winnicott. For both of them, our embeddedness within the world is a point of departure. Yet, this does not hinder for them a conceptualization of objectivity, constituted by relations, a conceptualization emanating from the body and spirit at one. But, whereas for Alain, it is a virtue to continuously strive to undo the imposition of our passions on the senseless and essence-less exteriority, for Winnicott living well necessitates transitional objects and experiences, in which the distinction between “out there” and “in me” is not challenged.