Explore Ayn Rand’s moral and philosophic case for capitalism, the social system based on individual rights, and how to defend it on solid ground. 

Is capitalism the best social system because it brings “the greatest good to the greatest number,” as many economists claim? Does capitalism lead to coercive monopolies and depressions, as its opponents say? Must capitalism be mixed with regulations to mitigate its inherent inequities, as conservatives argue?

In Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, Ayn Rand dispatched such claims and provided evidence-based reasoning to show what capitalism is, how it differs from other social systems, and why it is both moral and practical—for the same reason: because it establishes and protects the social conditions necessary for human flourishing.

In this reading group, Kiyah Willis will lead discussions on selected essays from Rand’s Capitalism, focusing on the integration of the moral and the practical, and comparing and contrasting her views with those of influential economists such as Frédéric Bastiat and Ludwig von Mises.

Take a deep dive into the moral and political thought of America’s first “radical for capitalism.” You’ll profit immensely.

Meet Your Instructor

Kiyah Willis

Kiyah Willis is a fellow at Objective Standard Institute, focusing on cultural trends and their causes and consequences. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kiyah worked as a data analyst before transitioning to a career explaining philosophic ideas and their real-world consequences. Her hobbies include hiking; watching anime; and playing with her dog, Archie. You can find her advocating reason, individualism, and liberty on X, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Substack.