"My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute."
-- Ayn Rand

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Ayn Rand identified “The role of the mind in man’s existence” as the theme of Atlas Shrugged. This talk will bring out what the novel has to say about this role. The book’s most obvious message is that the mind is our tool of survival—i.e., the means by which we produce the values needed to survive. Equally central to the novel, however, are two further points about the mind: it is the faculty by which man values and thereby makes his life meaningful, and it functions volitionally, so there can be no automatic values. By focusing on these three points and the way in which they are dramatized by the novel, the talk will foster a deepened appreciation both of the mind and of the novel which is its greatest celebration.

Second Session:

The second session will be an informal discussion of topics of special interest to the audience connected with Atlas Shrugged and Objectivism. Topics and questions will be solicited in advance of the session in written form, but there will be time set aside for live questions as well. Topics might concern the novel’s structure, the development of the main characters, the significance of certain episodes or characters, the relation of Atlas to issues Ayn Rand addressed in her non-fiction writing, or any other issues that are likely to be of general interest to the audience. Priority will be given to topics concerning Atlas Shrugged, but other philosophical topics are welcome and will be addressed time permitting.

About Greg Salmieri:

Mr. Salmieri is a doctoral candidate in philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh, where he is working on a dissertation titled "Aristotle and the Problem of Concepts." He specializes in epistemology and ancient philosophy.

Date: Sunday, May 25th

Time: 12:00pm – 4:30pm, with a 45 minute break between sessions.
Everyone is invited to DINNER with Greg Salmieri after the course

Location: The course will be held in downtown Chicago at the DePaul University Campus in Lincoln Park. More specific information will be provided to registrants.

Cost:
$50 per person ($25 full time students) -- on or before May 9th
$75 ($40 full time students) -- March 10th or later

Regular enrollment: $50

Full-time student enrollment: $25

• None currently

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• Dinner at Cheesecake Factory
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• Dinner with Dr. Yaron Brook, Executive Director of the Ayn Rand Institute
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