Objectivism Through Ayn Rand’s Fiction, Part I – Fall 2025

Price

Admission

$499.00

Timing

Fall

Start Date

October 16, 2025

Duration

8 weeks

Live Class Hours

12 hours

Live Class Time

TBD

About this course

This course provides a powerful corrective to a tendency among students of Objectivism to neglect Rand’s fiction in their study of the philosophy.

Ayn Rand’s novels 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 philosophy one must give careful consideration to the content and meaning of her novels, which contain the richest treatment of a number of central principles of Objectivism.

This first part introduces Rand as a novelist and thinker, focusing on themes such as the nature of life and values, the integration of work and life, and individualism and independence. We examine her treatment of individualism, emotions, physical force, and the Benevolent Universe Premise, using character conflicts to illustrate how ideas play a role in our lives.

Course Format: The course features exclusive recorded lectures by Onkar Ghate, not available anywhere else, followed by live classes with Ben Bayer.

Prerequisite Courses and Knowledge

Before starting this course, you must have read Ayn Rand’s three major works of fiction—The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, and We the Living—as well as her novella, Anthem.

Instructors

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.

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.