About the Course
Expand and deepen your understanding of Ayn Rand’s theory of concepts, with a focus on the objectivity and use-value of the ideas.
Rand’s Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology (ITOE) is about the mental mechanics of concept formation and the basic nature of objectivity. In this reading group, led by Craig Biddle, you will critically examine Rand’s arguments and the key principles of her theory of concepts, with a constant focus on two questions:
- Are the ideas supported by evidence and logic?
- What is the practical significance of the ideas for clear thinking, personal flourishing, and intellectual activism?
In advance of the first session, participants must read Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology, including “The Analytic-Synthetic Dichotomy” by Leonard Peikoff, and the Appendix, which consists of excerpts from epistemology workshops Rand held with several philosophers and intellectuals. Additional reading and writing assignments will require up to an hour a week outside of course time.
*To enroll in this course, you must have an invitation or permission from the instructor. Request permission by emailing Craig at [email protected].
Missed the course? We’ll notify you the next time it's offered!
How This Course Works
This course is interactive and discussion-driven, so enrollment is limited. Register early to secure your spot.
The course is held live on Zoom, which you can download for free here. Sessions are video recorded, so if you miss a session (or want to review), you can watch the recording. OSI may sell course recordings and/or use them for marketing, promotional, or educational purposes.
The course is 10.5 hours long, consisting of 7 sessions of 1.5 hours each. Homework assignments will require up to an additional hour per week.
If you don’t have a copy of the book, you need to get one so you can read the chapters we’ll be discussing each week. You can purchase the book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BetterWorldBooks, or practically any other bookstore. We recommend a print copy of the book, but if you prefer an electronic copy, that is fine, too. (If your financial situation is such that you cannot afford to purchase a copy of the book, please let us know by emailing [email protected], and we will help you get one.)
Course handouts and supplementary materials are delivered via email. Course participants are invited to an exclusive OSI Courses group on Facebook, where they can post questions and engage in discussions with the instructor and other participants.
Have a question that wasn’t answered here? Read our FAQ or email us at [email protected].
By enrolling, you agree to OSI’s Course Terms and Conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
OSI courses are live, interactive, and discussion-driven, so enrollment is limited. Register early to secure your spot.
Courses are held on Zoom, and sessions are recorded, so if you miss a session (or want to review), you can watch the recording. You can download Zoom for free here.
Courses vary in length. And some involve homework. Please see the specific course pages for details.
Course handouts and supplementary materials are delivered via email (please register with an active email address). Participants have access to an exclusive OSI Courses group on Facebook.
Zoom is a free video-conferencing app that we use to conduct our courses. You can download it here.
Sessions are video recorded, so if you miss a session (or want to review), you can watch the recording. That said, we highly recommend attending each live session so that you can ask questions and engage with your instructor(s) and other participants.
If you do miss a session, we recommend that you watch the recording before attending the next session.
Anyone aged 29 or younger may apply for an OSI scholarship to cover the full cost of a course. For information on how the scholarships work, please visit our Scholarships page.
You can see all current and past courses here.
If you have a question that isn’t answered in the FAQ or course description, please email us at [email protected].
