Moral Virtues – Man’s Means of Flourishing | Spring 2026

Price

Admission

$499.00

Timing

Spring

Start Date

TBD

Duration

8 weeks

Live Class Hours

TBD

Live Class Time

TBD

About this course

This course will investigate the major moral virtues that Ayn Rand identified as the lifeblood of egoism.

We examine rationality, honesty, justice, independence, integrity, productiveness, and pride. How are these manifested in a person’s daily life? How does each serve egoism? How are Rand’s understandings of these virtues different from conventional accounts? And what is their relationship to the cardinal values of reason, purpose, and self-esteem?

Through the prism of the virtues, this course will deepen students’ understanding of egoism in practice. The primary text will be Tara Smith, Ayn Rand’s Normative Ethics – The Virtuous Egoist.

Prerequisite Courses and Knowledge

Students must have completed Philosophy of Objectivism, Part I and Part II before taking this course.

Instructors

Tara Smith

Tara Smith is a professor of philosophy at the University of Texas. Her main interests concern the nature of values and virtues, and the requirements of objective law. Dr. Smith's legal interests center around proper methodology in judicial review and First Amendment issues. Her current research concentrates on privacy (both as a personal value and a legal right), and psychological dimensions of moral values, including the psychological challenges of aging.

About ARI Live Courses

Ayn Rand described Objectivism as “a philosophy for living on earth.” This idea is at the heart of ARI Live Courses, which provide the world’s best courses in Objectivism taught by some of the world’s leading experts in Ayn Rand’s philosophy. Whether you’re relatively new to Ayn Rand or you’ve read and listened to everything, our live courses will take you to the next level to help you learn, live, and advocate Objectivism.