Ayn Rand’s novels–We the Living, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged–are self-consciously philosophical novels, containing abstract themes, characters driven by opposing moral principles, and conflicts rooted in clashing worldviews. And more than that, Rand’s fictional heroes discover and embody new philosophical ideas, original to Rand. To understand Rand’s distinctive worldview and to learn her new philosophy, Objectivism, there is no better place to start than with careful consideration of the content and meaning of her novels, which contain the richest treatment of a number of central principles of Objectivism available. The course provides a powerful corrective to a tendency among students of Objectivism to neglect Rand’s fiction in their study of Objectivist philosophy.
There are two iterations of this course in the ARU 2025 school year, in Q1-Q2 and Q3-Q4.
Prerequisites or Corequisites: None.
Level: 100 Start Date: April 17, 2025 Live Class: Thursdays, 9-10:30 am PT Quarter: Q3-Q4
Course Content
Course Includes
- 3 Lessons
- 6 Writing Assignments
Course Faculty
Onkar GhateDr. Ghate is senior fellow, chief philosophy officer, and a board member of the Ayn Rand Institute. He specializes in Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism, and is ARI’s senior instructor and editor. He publishes and lectures on Rand’s philosophy and fiction, including application of Objectivism to cultural issues. He holds a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Calgary.
Ben BayerDr. Bayer is a fellow and director of content at the Ayn Rand Institute. He teaches at Ayn Rand University and gives talks and interviews for ARI. He writes and edits for ARI’s online publication, New Ideal. Dr. Bayer holds a PhD in philosophy and his writing focuses primarily on the application of philosophy to contemporary cultural and political controversies.Course Announcements
Course Instructor
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