This course will examine the foundational principles of Ayn Rand’s moral philosophy while addressing core questions that her theory typically raises. Its major topics will be: the foundations of value; the objectivity of value (in contrast with intrinsicist and subjectivist conceptions); the fact-value relationship; survival “versus” flourishing; the choice to live; the causal character of moral guidance; the role of values and virtues; egoism. Principal readings will be essays and excerpts from Ayn Rand and Leonard Peikoff, possibly supplemented with essays by other scholars of Objectivism.

Prerequisites: To enroll in this course, students need to have completed an Objectivism course such as “Objectivism through Ayn Rand’s Fiction” or the “Objectivism Seminar”.