Ayn Rand called capitalism the unknown ideal. But what makes it an ideal–and why has that ideal remained unknown? In this course, we’ll examine the philosophy, history, and economics of capitalism. Above all, we’ll examine the debate over capitalism’s morality–from opponents like Marx to alleged champions like Hayek. And we’ll see how Objectivism’s unique understanding and philosophical defense of capitalism cements it as the only moral social system.
Note: This course was made possible by a gift from the Snider Foundation.
Prerequisites or Corequisites: 100-level courses have “Objectivism through Ayn Rand’s Fiction” or the “Intensive Seminar on Objectivism” as a corequisite.
Level: 100 Start Date: April 11, 2025 Live Class: Fridays, 11 am-1 pm PT Quarter: Q3-Q4
Readings to be Purchased by Students
- Mark Koyama and Jared Rubin, How the World Became Rich: The Historical Origins of Economic Growth
- Yaron Brook and Don Watkins, Free Market Revolution
For Graded Students: Assignment Groups
Q1 Class Schedule:
- April 11. Introduction to the Course: Why the morality of capitalism matters
- April 25. How the Enlightenment created capitalism: Part 1
- May 2. How the Enlightenment created capitalism: Part 2
- May 9. How capitalism created progress and prosperity: Part 1
- May 16. How capitalism created progress and prosperity: Part 2
- May 30. How capitalism created progress and prosperity: Part 3
- June 6. Myths about capitalism
- June 13. Ayn Rand’s distinctive understanding of capitalism
Course Includes
- 16 Lessons
- 2 Topics
- 18 Writing Assignments
Course Faculty
Don WatkinsMr. Watkins is vice president of fundraising and marketing at the Ayn Rand Institute. He is the best-selling author of books such as Equal Is Unfair (co-authored with Yaron Brook) and, most recently, Effective Egoism.
Yaron BrookDr. Brook is chairman of the board of the Ayn Rand Institute. He is co-author, with Don Watkins, of In Pursuit of Wealth (2017), of Equal Is Unfair (2016), and of the national bestseller Free Market Revolution (2012). He is the host of The Yaron Brook Show on YouTube.Course Announcements
Course Instructor
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