Virtue, Politics, and Esthetics

This final course of Advanced Seminar on Objectivism focuses on moral virtue, happiness, the initiation of force, and Objectivism’s view of art. We will discuss the virtues of independence, integrity, honesty, justice, productiveness, and pride, and relate them back to the “master” virtue: rationality. The course addresses Objectivism’s conception of happiness, contrasts the Objectivist ethics with conventional views, and explores Rand’s advocacy for capitalism as the only moral social system. We conclude with a look at the Objectivist esthetics, discussing the philosophical significance of art and its role in human life.

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Course Includes

  • 7 Lessons
  • 47 Topics
  • 7 Writing Assignments
  • Course Faculty

    Onkar Ghate
    Dr. 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 Bayer
    Dr. 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.
    Aaron Smith
    Dr. Smith is an instructor and fellow at ARI where he teaches and designs educational content for the Institute’s intellectual training and e-learning programs. He also writes, speaks, and gives interviews for the Institute. Dr. Smith received his PhD in philosophy from Johns Hopkins University where his research focused on Aristotle’s theory of knowledge.