Ayn Rand Institute
@aynrandinstitute.bsky.social
The Ayn Rand Institute is the source for information about the life, writings and ideas of Ayn Rand. Discover more about Ayn Rand: https://linktr.ee/aynrand
The Origin of Life, Agency & Purpose: Terrence Deacon's Theory
Jeremy Sherman’s book, Neither Ghost Nor Machine: The Emergence and Nature of Selves, introduces readers to neuroanthropologist Terrence Deacon’s theory of the origins of life, purpose, and normativity.
Jeremy Sherman’s book, Neither Ghost Nor Machine: The Emergence and Nature of Selves, introduces readers to neuroanthropologist Terrence Deacon’s theory of the origins of life, purpose, and normativity.
The Origin of Life, Agency & Purpose: Terrence Deacon's Theory
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 11:14 PM
The Origin of Life, Agency & Purpose: Terrence Deacon's Theory
Jeremy Sherman’s book, Neither Ghost Nor Machine: The Emergence and Nature of Selves, introduces readers to neuroanthropologist Terrence Deacon’s theory of the origins of life, purpose, and normativity.
Jeremy Sherman’s book, Neither Ghost Nor Machine: The Emergence and Nature of Selves, introduces readers to neuroanthropologist Terrence Deacon’s theory of the origins of life, purpose, and normativity.
AynRandCon-Europe returns April 17–19, 2026 in Porto, Portugal—and registration is officially open! If you're new to Ayn Rand's ideas and want to dive in, this conference is for you.
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/5zPlp7n
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/5zPlp7n
November 10, 2025 at 5:03 PM
AynRandCon-Europe returns April 17–19, 2026 in Porto, Portugal—and registration is officially open! If you're new to Ayn Rand's ideas and want to dive in, this conference is for you.
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/5zPlp7n
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/5zPlp7n
When you sign up for ARI's online journal, 'New Ideal,' you'll receive a free digital copy of 'Illuminating Ayn Rand,' a book that sheds light on some little-discussed yet interesting facets of Rand’s life and career. Join today: buff.ly/Lqop0jq
November 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
When you sign up for ARI's online journal, 'New Ideal,' you'll receive a free digital copy of 'Illuminating Ayn Rand,' a book that sheds light on some little-discussed yet interesting facets of Rand’s life and career. Join today: buff.ly/Lqop0jq
The president’s real foreign policy discretion over trade applies only in wartime against specific belligerents — not in perpetuity and even against our allies.
📷 : Chip Somodevilla / via Getty Images
📷 : Chip Somodevilla / via Getty Images
The President Has No “Foreign Policy” Discretion To Impose Sweeping Global Tariffs
The president’s real foreign policy discretion over trade applies only in wartime against specific belligerents — not in perpetuity and even against our allies
new-ideal.aynrand.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:40 PM
The president’s real foreign policy discretion over trade applies only in wartime against specific belligerents — not in perpetuity and even against our allies.
📷 : Chip Somodevilla / via Getty Images
📷 : Chip Somodevilla / via Getty Images
Yaron Brook is live 🔴 in Porto, Portugal! Don't miss his discussion of how philosophy can be used as a weapon for success.
The Morality of Capitalism | Yaron Brook, Miguel Morgado, and Carlos GuimarãesPinto – Lisbon
Yaron Brook, Miguel Morgado, and Carlos Guimarães Pinto explore the moral
foundations of capitalism.
Live from Lisbon, supported by the Ayn Rand Institute.
Watch the full recording of “The Morality…
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Yaron Brook is live 🔴 in Porto, Portugal! Don't miss his discussion of how philosophy can be used as a weapon for success.
When It’s Rational to Blame “Both Sides”
How to recognize and resist the tribalistic warfare in American politics.
How to recognize and resist the tribalistic warfare in American politics.
When It’s Rational to Blame “Both Sides”
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 4:09 PM
When It’s Rational to Blame “Both Sides”
How to recognize and resist the tribalistic warfare in American politics.
How to recognize and resist the tribalistic warfare in American politics.
"From whether it is moral to divert a trolley from killing five men to killing one, to what we should do about famine abroad, there is a striking fixation on what Ayn Rand calls “emergency situations.”
“The Ethics of Emergencies” Now Available Online
Certain topics loom large in university ethics courses. From whether it is moral to divert a trolley from killing five men to killing one, to what we should
buff.ly
November 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM
"From whether it is moral to divert a trolley from killing five men to killing one, to what we should do about famine abroad, there is a striking fixation on what Ayn Rand calls “emergency situations.”
Donald Trump is the type of anti-intellectual, authoritarian mentality that Ayn Rand warned us against in Atlas Shrugged. (Originally published 10/9/2019.)
📷: Evan El-Amin / Shutterstock
📷: Evan El-Amin / Shutterstock
The Anti-Intellectuality of Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the type of anti-intellectual, authoritarian mentality that Ayn Rand warned us against in Atlas Shrugged.
buff.ly
November 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Donald Trump is the type of anti-intellectual, authoritarian mentality that Ayn Rand warned us against in Atlas Shrugged. (Originally published 10/9/2019.)
📷: Evan El-Amin / Shutterstock
📷: Evan El-Amin / Shutterstock
Yaron Brook is live 🔴 in Porto, Portugal. Don't miss his discussion of how philosophy can be used as a weapon for success.
Philosophy as a Weapon for Success | Yaron Brook, Tim Vieira & Miguel AmorimLopes – Porto
A powerful discussion on how philosophy drives success promoting happiness— withYaron Brook, Tim Vieira, and Miguel Amorim Lopes.Live from Porto, supported b...
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Yaron Brook is live 🔴 in Porto, Portugal. Don't miss his discussion of how philosophy can be used as a weapon for success.
Do Nobel Prize-Winning Economists Get Why Nations Fail? Listen to Robertas Bakula's talk from OCON 2025.
Do Nobel Prize-Winning Economists Get Why Nations Fail? | Robertas Bakula
This talk was recorded live on July 2nd in Boston, MA as part of the 2025 Objectivist Summer Conference and is available on the Ayn Rand Institute Podcast stream. Listen and subscribe wherever you…
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Do Nobel Prize-Winning Economists Get Why Nations Fail? Listen to Robertas Bakula's talk from OCON 2025.
"Congress alone has the constitutional power to tax and to regulate foreign commerce, and it cannot delegate this power to the president in such unlimited fashion." Read
@benbayer.bsky.social's latest article in the OC Register.
📷 : AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File
@benbayer.bsky.social's latest article in the OC Register.
📷 : AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File
The president has no ‘foreign policy’ discretion to impose sweeping global tariffs
The president’s real foreign policy discretion over trade applies only in wartime against specific belligerents—not in perpetuity and even against our allies.
buff.ly
November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
"Congress alone has the constitutional power to tax and to regulate foreign commerce, and it cannot delegate this power to the president in such unlimited fashion." Read
@benbayer.bsky.social's latest article in the OC Register.
📷 : AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File
@benbayer.bsky.social's latest article in the OC Register.
📷 : AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File
AynRandCon-Europe returns April 17–19, 2026 in Porto, Portugal—and registration is officially open! If you're new to Ayn Rand's ideas and want to dive in, this conference is for you.
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/5zPlp7n
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/5zPlp7n
November 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
AynRandCon-Europe returns April 17–19, 2026 in Porto, Portugal—and registration is officially open! If you're new to Ayn Rand's ideas and want to dive in, this conference is for you.
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/5zPlp7n
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/5zPlp7n
When you sign up for ARI's online journal, 'New Ideal,' you'll receive a free digital copy of 'Illuminating Ayn Rand,' a book that sheds light on some little-discussed yet interesting facets of Rand’s life and career. Join today: buff.ly/bg5DZS6
November 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
When you sign up for ARI's online journal, 'New Ideal,' you'll receive a free digital copy of 'Illuminating Ayn Rand,' a book that sheds light on some little-discussed yet interesting facets of Rand’s life and career. Join today: buff.ly/bg5DZS6
How Friendship Can Be Selfish
Tristan de Liège and Gregory Salmieri discuss Ayn Rand’s conception of friendship as a fundamentally egoistic activity, and why altruism and friendship are incompatible.
Tristan de Liège and Gregory Salmieri discuss Ayn Rand’s conception of friendship as a fundamentally egoistic activity, and why altruism and friendship are incompatible.
How Friendship Can Be Selfish
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
October 30, 2025 at 6:38 PM
How Friendship Can Be Selfish
Tristan de Liège and Gregory Salmieri discuss Ayn Rand’s conception of friendship as a fundamentally egoistic activity, and why altruism and friendship are incompatible.
Tristan de Liège and Gregory Salmieri discuss Ayn Rand’s conception of friendship as a fundamentally egoistic activity, and why altruism and friendship are incompatible.
Secular commentators should not let the Epstein scandal or a new Pope distract them from the Church’s historic crimes.
📷: Walter Bibikow / via Getty Images
📷: Walter Bibikow / via Getty Images
Never Forget – or Forgive – the Ongoing Catholic Church Sex Abuse Scandal
Secular commentators should not let the Epstein scandal or a new Pope distract them from the Church’s historic crimes
new-ideal.aynrand.org
October 29, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Secular commentators should not let the Epstein scandal or a new Pope distract them from the Church’s historic crimes.
📷: Walter Bibikow / via Getty Images
📷: Walter Bibikow / via Getty Images
AynRandCon-Europe returns April 17–19, 2026 in Porto, Portugal—and registration is officially open! If you're new to Ayn Rand's ideas and want to dive in, this conference is for you.
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/Pj7khPS
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/Pj7khPS
October 27, 2025 at 4:06 PM
AynRandCon-Europe returns April 17–19, 2026 in Porto, Portugal—and registration is officially open! If you're new to Ayn Rand's ideas and want to dive in, this conference is for you.
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/Pj7khPS
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov 7, so don't wait! buff.ly/Pj7khPS
When you sign up for ARI's online journal, 'New Ideal,' you'll receive a free digital copy of 'Illuminating Ayn Rand,' a book that sheds light on some little-discussed yet interesting facets of Rand’s life and career. Join today: buff.ly/bg5DZS6
October 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
When you sign up for ARI's online journal, 'New Ideal,' you'll receive a free digital copy of 'Illuminating Ayn Rand,' a book that sheds light on some little-discussed yet interesting facets of Rand’s life and career. Join today: buff.ly/bg5DZS6
Integrating Science and Free Will
Kevin Mitchell’s book Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will, offers an interesting and unique exploration of how free will relates to biology and neuroscience.
Kevin Mitchell’s book Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will, offers an interesting and unique exploration of how free will relates to biology and neuroscience.
Integrating Science and Free Will
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
October 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Integrating Science and Free Will
Kevin Mitchell’s book Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will, offers an interesting and unique exploration of how free will relates to biology and neuroscience.
Kevin Mitchell’s book Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will, offers an interesting and unique exploration of how free will relates to biology and neuroscience.
AynRandCon-Europe returns April 17–19, 2026 in Porto, Portugal—and registration is officially open! If you're in Europe, new to Ayn Rand's ideas, and want to dive in, this conference is for you.
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov. 7, so don't wait! Join us in Porto: buff.ly/Pj7khPS
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov. 7, so don't wait! Join us in Porto: buff.ly/Pj7khPS
October 23, 2025 at 11:30 PM
AynRandCon-Europe returns April 17–19, 2026 in Porto, Portugal—and registration is officially open! If you're in Europe, new to Ayn Rand's ideas, and want to dive in, this conference is for you.
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov. 7, so don't wait! Join us in Porto: buff.ly/Pj7khPS
Super Early Bird pricing is available through Nov. 7, so don't wait! Join us in Porto: buff.ly/Pj7khPS
Defending Embryo Screening from Irrational Opposition
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Mike Mazza and Samantha Watkins discuss the recent controversy and moral critiques of modern embryo screening tech created by the Silicon Valley startup, Orchid.
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Mike Mazza and Samantha Watkins discuss the recent controversy and moral critiques of modern embryo screening tech created by the Silicon Valley startup, Orchid.
Defending Embryo Screening from Irrational Opposition
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
October 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Defending Embryo Screening from Irrational Opposition
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Mike Mazza and Samantha Watkins discuss the recent controversy and moral critiques of modern embryo screening tech created by the Silicon Valley startup, Orchid.
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Mike Mazza and Samantha Watkins discuss the recent controversy and moral critiques of modern embryo screening tech created by the Silicon Valley startup, Orchid.
In a thorough and concise letter, Ayn Rand defends her ideas against an egregious misrepresentation that appeared in a review of her first nonfiction book "For the New Intellectual."
📷: J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10).
📷: J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10).
Rand Defends Her Ideas Against Misrepresentation: From the New, Expanded Edition of Letters of Ayn Rand
A thorough and concise correction of an egregious review
buff.ly
October 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
In a thorough and concise letter, Ayn Rand defends her ideas against an egregious misrepresentation that appeared in a review of her first nonfiction book "For the New Intellectual."
📷: J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10).
📷: J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10).
People seeking to build in America will face challenges due to the mass deportations agenda.
📷: Lindsey Nicholson / UCG / via Getty Images
📷: Lindsey Nicholson / UCG / via Getty Images
Mass Deportations Will Leave Homes Unbuilt in America
People seeking to build in America will face challenges due to the mass deportations agenda
new-ideal.aynrand.org
October 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM
People seeking to build in America will face challenges due to the mass deportations agenda.
📷: Lindsey Nicholson / UCG / via Getty Images
📷: Lindsey Nicholson / UCG / via Getty Images
Apple finally appeals the unjust expropriation of its business. Read why they should win 👇
📷: Pavlo Gonchar / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images
📷: Pavlo Gonchar / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images
How Epic Games Is Looting the Store That Apple Visionaries Built
When “informed choice” means forcing Apple to advertise its rivals, something’s upside-down. The court just handed the keys to Apple’s Platform to Epic Games – rent-free. Is this justice or plunder?
buff.ly
October 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Apple finally appeals the unjust expropriation of its business. Read why they should win 👇
📷: Pavlo Gonchar / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images
📷: Pavlo Gonchar / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images
91 years ago today, Ayn Rand saw a dream realized when “Woman on Trial” opened at the Hollywood Playhouse.
A year later, the play’s Broadway run became, in Rand’s words, “the most miserable experience” of her life.
Read the full story below 👇
A year later, the play’s Broadway run became, in Rand’s words, “the most miserable experience” of her life.
Read the full story below 👇
October 22, 2025 at 4:04 PM
91 years ago today, Ayn Rand saw a dream realized when “Woman on Trial” opened at the Hollywood Playhouse.
A year later, the play’s Broadway run became, in Rand’s words, “the most miserable experience” of her life.
Read the full story below 👇
A year later, the play’s Broadway run became, in Rand’s words, “the most miserable experience” of her life.
Read the full story below 👇
Because “conservatism” is intellectually bankrupt, Rand saw it as not just ineffectual but actually destructive of freedom. She was proven correct. (Originally published 6/30/2021.)
📷: Bettmann / via Getty Images
📷: Bettmann / via Getty Images
What Was Ayn Rand’s View of ‘Conservatism’?
Because “conservatism” is intellectually bankrupt, Rand saw it as not just ineffectual but actually destructive of freedom. She was proven correct.
buff.ly
October 21, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Because “conservatism” is intellectually bankrupt, Rand saw it as not just ineffectual but actually destructive of freedom. She was proven correct. (Originally published 6/30/2021.)
📷: Bettmann / via Getty Images
📷: Bettmann / via Getty Images