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Being Selfish, Being Happy (Course Trailer)

2,138 views · Published 30 November 2016 · 1:55 · Indexed 8 November 2026

Channel: Ayn Rand Institute · 2016 · Nonprofits & Activism

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The idea that a person ought to be selfish is so alien to our culture that when people learn that Ayn Rand upheld a morality of selfishness, they are left scratching their heads. What could Rand possibly mean? In this course, given at Objectivist Summer Conference 2016, Tara Smith discusses the crucial features of Rand’s morality of selfishness — what she called “rational egoism” — explaining what it is, what it is not, and why it is an individual’s only means of achieving sustainable happiness.

The course addresses such questions as: 

— Why does Rand think that egoism requires moral virtues?
— Is living selfishly easy or hard?
— Is happiness a subjective or an objective matter?
— How does one identify what is in one’s rational self-interest?

ENROLL FREE IN "BEING SELFISH, BEING HAPPY" AT ARI CAMPUS:
https://campus.aynrand.org/campus-courses/being-selfish-being-happy

A handout, provided to attendees when the course was originally given, is available at ARI Campus. It includes a useful course outline, several quotations from Ayn Rand’s works and a brief list of recommended additional readings.

Smith is professor of philosophy and BB&T Chair for the Study of Objectivism at the University of Texas - Austin.

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ABOUT THE AYN RAND INSTITUTE
ARI offers educational experiences, based on Ayn Rand's books and ideas, to a variety of audiences, including students, educators, policymakers and lifelong learners. ARI also engages in research and advocacy efforts, applying Rand's ideas to current issues and seeking to promote her philosophical principles of reason, rational self-interest and laissez-faire capitalism. We invite you to explore how Ayn Rand viewed the world — and to consider the distinctive insights offered by ARI's experts today.

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