Discussing Objectivism
Weekly, Expert-Led Discussions of Ayn Rand’s Essays
Sundays, 12:30–2 pm ET / 9:30–11 am PT
Discuss. Grow. Connect.
Join a community of engaged thinkers for weekly, expert-led discussions of Ayn Rand’s essays. Whether you’re new to Ayn Rand’s essays or have devoured them all, Discussing Objectivism is your place to articulate and clarify your grasp of Rand’s philosophy alongside fellow active minds. Spend ninety minutes each week delving deeper into Rand’s rich nonfiction works in a collegial atmosphere of discovery and growth. You’ll walk away with a sharper understanding of Objectivism and how to leverage it to improve your life.
How It Works
- Weekly Zoom Calls, led by Dr. Aaron Smith and Sam Weaver
- No commitment—join at your convenience or watch the recordings
- 1 month free sessions, then $65 / month
Questions? Reach out to our team.
Attend an Upcoming Discussion (Free of Charge)
"The Soul of an Individualist"
February 1st, 2026
Special Guest: Mike Mazza
This essay is Howard Roark’s climactic courtroom speech from The Fountainhead. In it, Ayn Rand explains the fundamental conflict between the creator and the second-hander, including the motives of and the results achieved by each.
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“Theory and Practice”
February 8th, 2026
This essay collects two columns Ayn Rand wrote for the Los Angeles Times. The first explains why the attempt to justify capitalism on altruistic grounds is doomed. The second comments on the chaos in Algeria as a result of an uprising not guided by any political principles.
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"Requiem for Man"
February 15th, 2026
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What Subscribers Say
"The primary value for me is exploring the philosophy under the leadership and guidance of an expert. Secondary, but also important, is spending time with the people I like. At $65 a month, this is an incredible value for anyone curious about Objectivism and its integration into life routines."
"This structure motivates me to stay consistent with studying Ayn Rand's philosophy which deepens my understanding through the process of reading, writing, and reflecting."
“I always look forward to the Sunday discussions which have become a staple of my weekends. I love the courses ARI offers, but as someone that works full time and has a busy life, it makes it impractical to sign up for many of them. Discussing Objectivism is a great alternative for people looking for stimulating conversations, and ways to connect with like-minded individuals”
"I would recommend Discussing Objectivism to a friend because it creates a structured program to re-read and study Ayn Rand's articles closely to be able to write a short assignment about issues or questions raised by each article and have a productive discussion with two experts on Objectivism in an informal but serious setting, with far less time commitment than an [ARI Live Course] requires."
"The weekly discussion group meetings are an effective way to stay sharp on Objectivist philosophy. Aaron Smith, the group leader, has a deep understanding of Objectivism and does a great job of facilitating the attendee discussions. I enjoy expressing my views to the group on the essays by Miss Rand and hearing feedback from Aaron and the others on the calls. The weekly readings and the group calls are frequently the best part of my week!"
"The Discussing Objectivism sessions are valuable to me because they get me to reread some of the essays I don't pick up regularly, which uncovers some lesser known gems for me. Furthermore, it's good to be able to ask questions to an expert Objectivist who can answer questions that arise in reading a text instead of simply having to wonder about a point."
"The mystics have church, I now have Discussion Objectivism. It's like entering Galt's Gulch for 90 minutes a week. The topics and essays discussed are always applicable to my life and every week I walk away a little more tuned towards identifying and building my values. Discussing Rand's essays with the best Objectivist scholars is a massive multiplier by helping to wring the most out of them. They see, understand, and explain deeper principles it would have taken me years to get on my own — if ever at all. There are few investments I've made that have had this level of return in such a short amount of time. "
Sample Session Clips
An excerpt from a previous session on “Tax Credits for Education.”
An excerpt from a previous session on “The Question of Scholarships.”
Meet the Guides
Aaron Smith, ARI Fellow
Aaron Smith holds a PhD in philosophy from Johns Hopkins University and previously taught philosophy at the University of Maryland. He writes, speaks, and gives interviews for the Institute, and serves as a senior instructor for ARI. He is also a graduate of the Objectivist Academic Center and an alumnus of ARI’s Advanced Education Program.
