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4 sessions

Anthem: The Moral Revolution of “I” (2026)

Explore the nature and power of individuality in Ayn Rand’s Anthem.

About the Course

Explore the nature and power of individuality in Ayn Rand’s Anthem.

Imagine a world in which collectivism is so pervasive that even thinking about your own life or happiness is punishable by torture or death.

In Anthem, Ayn Rand depicts a future society in which the word “I” has been erased, independence is considered a sin, and excellence is punished. Individuals are treated as interchangeable and dispensable cogs in a collective; virtue consists in obedience, conformity, and self-sacrifice.

In this reading group, Matheus Pacini will lead discussions of Anthem as a philosophic novella about the nature of the self, the essence of independence, the horrors of collectivism, the social conditions required for human flourishing, and Rand’s heroic vision of man.

You’ll explore:

  • The nature and vital importance of independent thinking
  • The nature and evil of collectivism
  • The virtues of productiveness, innovation, and ambition
  • The psychological and existential consequences of enforced “equality”
  • Rand’s conception of rational egoism as a life-serving morality

Join Matheus for a deep dive into Rand’s dystopian yet heroic novella. You’ll gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Anthem—and of yourself, your “I.”

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Matheus Pacini

Meet Your Instructor

Matheus Pacini

Matheus Pacini is a Brazilian translator and educator specializing in philosophy and political economy. He has translated more than sixty books into Portuguese, including several by Ayn Rand. He is the founder and director of Objetivismo Brasil, a project dedicated to translating and promoting the ideas of Rand and similar thinkers. Pacini has also taught courses on Rand’s novels and philosophy.

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 (opens in a new tab). 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.

Homework assignments are optional. Doing them may require an additional hour or more per week but will greatly enhance what you learn in this course.

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 (opens in a new tab), Barnes & Noble (opens in a new tab), BetterWorldBooks (opens in a new tab), 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 (opens in a new tab) or email us at [email protected].

By enrolling, you agree to OSI’s Course Terms and Conditions (opens in a new tab).

Frequently Asked Questions