Ayn Rand Institute

The future belongs to those who dare to think deeper. The Atlas Prize for Independent Thought challenges young minds to think deeper, argue better, and prove that their ideas can withstand real scrutiny. Winners walk away with big prizes and incredible opportunities. If you’re capable of confidently ranging off the beaten mental track, then get the details and compete here: hubs.la/Q04pYY9j0

Heritage vs. Creed: What Actually Makes You an American? To be an American is to commit to the way of life enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. To think of it as defined by one’s “heritage” is deeply un-American. Onkar Ghate and @BenBayer discuss.

Who changes the world? Is it innovators, the producers of wealth, and giants of industry? And what does that have to do with you and your happiness? In this presentation, Tal Tsfany will review the forces that shape the world at large and our own individual lives. Register today » hubs.la/Q04pHB6M0

Explore optics through the lens of Objectivist epistemology. For centuries, thinkers observed shadows, mirrors, lenses, color, vision, reflection, refraction, and rainbows—and tried to identify the nature of the physical phenomenon underlying them all. In Foundations of Physical Science III: Optics and the Nature of Light, you’ll trace the development of optics from the first, groping ideas of the ancient Greeks through the discoveries of Kepler, Descartes, Newton, Huygens, Young, Fresnel, and others. Learn more and register: hubs.la/Q04pyf_90

Read more here: new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/read-the-new…

In 1947, Ayn Rand warned the film industry about the subtle spread of collectivist ideas with her "Screen Guide for Americans". Read Michael S. Berliner’s new afterword to uncover the deep connections between Rand’s passion for film and her political activism. Explore more 👇

A new intellectual arena is open for those aged 16 to 22. It’s for those: * Curious enough to question the status quo * Disciplined enough to follow the evidence rigorously * Courageous enough to examine controversial truths * Driven enough to compete at the highest intellectual level It challenges young minds to think deeper, argue better, and prove that their ideas can withstand real scrutiny. Winners will walk away with big prizes and incredible opportunities. If you’re capable of confidently ranging off the beaten mental track, then get the details and compete here: hubs.la/Q04pdGhs0

America at 250: What Do We Have to Celebrate? | @GSalmieri This year marks a tremendous milestone: 250 years ago, Americans declared independence, giving birth to the United States. Ayn Rand held that “the United States of America is the greatest, the noblest and, in its original founding principles, the only moral country in the history of the world.” Yet, those of us who love the principles on which this nation was founded can be forgiven for wondering if there’s anything left of America to celebrate. Is there? Yes, in fact, there is.

See more here: new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/a-new-anthol…

Was Ayn Rand primarily a novelist or a philosopher? According to Rand herself, she was equally both. Discover how her philosophical principles drive the plot and are embodied by the heroes of her novels with Onkar Ghate's new essay collection: The Moral Idealism of Ayn Rand. Learn more below 👇

America at 250: Politics, Religion, Morality | Onkar Ghate "The most profoundly revolutionary achievement of the United States of America was the subordination of society to moral law," wrote Ayn Rand. In this OCON 2026 talk, Dr. Onkar Ghate discusses the Founders' incredible feat, the ways in which it has been corrupted, and what's needed to keep it from slipping away.

Learn more here: new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/ari-announce…

Three new mini-books debuted at OCON this summer in New Orleans. Two of these short works, enriched by historical documents from the Ayn Rand Archives, explore Rand’s relationship with America and its ideals, and the third applies these principles to the space industry. Learn more below 👇

The Atlas Prize challenges exceptional young minds to engage deeply with the ideas of Atlas Shrugged and demonstrate the power of their reasoning before a global audience for the chance to win up to $100,000. Get the details at hubs.la/Q04nH5GP0.

@BenBayer Bayer's analysis here: new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/after-the-po… 📷: Anton Petrus / Moment / via Getty Images

Religion has long maintained an unearned monopoly on morality. As the Vatican tries to shackle AI innovation with faith-based rules, @BenBayer argues it’s time to reject blind obedience and build a scientific code of ethics instead. Read his analysis👇

Read Ghate's short article here: new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/with-america…

As the U.S. prepares to mark 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, too little thought is being given to the moral foundation of its greatness. Onkar Ghate argues that capitalism is (still) an unknown ideal👇 📷: Roy Rochlin / Getty Images Entertainment / via Getty Images

Join us on July 3 for a special livestream with Dr. Yaron Brook and Brandon Lisi. Dr. Brook will discuss the themes of his OCON talk, “America: The Nation of the Producer,” followed by the online premiere of the talk itself. The talk will be followed by a special presentation—exclusive to those who register. 📅 Friday, July 3 🕙 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET Register for free: hubs.la/Q04mzZTW0

We are losing our freedom—our autonomy to act on bold new ideas, take risks, and innovate—because the political-economic system that protects liberty is under assault. Capitalism, the only social system based on the principle of individual rights, is attacked for the failures of a mixed economy. And driving these attacks is a bug in society’s operating system: a false moral code. If we want to take back our freedom and reclaim our moral right to the pursuit of happiness, then as Ayn Rand identified, we must understand and champion capitalism and the fact-based morality of rational self-interest at its foundation. In this talk, Ben Bayer will provide a primer on how to do just that. Register today » hubs.la/Q04nsS3p0