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.”

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.