AynRandCon-Europe 2026 Program

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Program

Preliminary program; subject to change. 

Friday, April 17
5:00 PM

Registration

7:00 PM

Welcome Reception and Opening Remarks

9:00 AM

The Morality of Capitalism

Yaron Brook
We are losing our freedom—our autonomy to act on bold new ideas, take risks, and innovate—because the political-economic system that protects liberty is under assault. Capitalism, the only social system based on the principle of individual rights, is attacked for the failures of a mixed economy. And driving these attacks is a bug in society’s operating system: a false moral code.
If we want to take back our freedom and reclaim our moral right to the pursuit of happiness, then as Ayn Rand identified, we must understand and champion capitalism and the fact-based morality of rational self-interest at its foundation. In this talk, Yaron Brook will provide a primer on how to do just that.
10:30 AM

Reason vs Faith

Onkar Ghate
You’ve probably heard the biblical phrase “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Many think something similar holds true of reason and faith, believing that we should go by reason sometimes and by faith at other times.
Does that make sense? Is it a good way to live one’s life? What exactly are reason and faith? Does each really have its own area of applicability? Or is it true, as Ayn Rand wrote, that “The alleged short-cut to knowledge, which is faith, is only a short-circuit destroying the mind”?
In this talk, Onkar Ghate will reveal the essence of each, addressing whether reason and faith are compatible faculties with independent domains—or antithetical and mutually destructive.
1:30 PM

Current Events Topic TBD

Yaron Brook
3:00 PM

Q&A Panel

Yaron Brook
Onkar Ghate
6:00 PM

Evening Social Event

9:00 AM

The Virtue of Selfishness

Onkar Ghate
You’ve heard it your whole life: “Put others first.” “Don’t be selfish.” “Serve a cause greater than yourself.” The most uncontroversial idea in our culture is that you can either be immoral by selfishly pursuing your own values—or you can renounce the pursuit of your own values and be a morally good person. Ayn Rand rejected that alternative. She held that morality and the selfish pursuit of happiness go hand-in-hand. “The purpose of morality,” she wrote, “is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.” In place of religious and secular moralities that demand sacrifice for others, Rand offers a morality of rational selfishness—a morality based on the conviction that you have the right to the pursuit of your own happiness, neither sacrificing yourself to others nor others to yourself. In this talk, you’ll see how Rand’s life-affirming ideas can equip you to carve your own path toward a life of greater purpose, fulfillment, and happiness.
10:30 AM

Pursuing Your Happiness

Tal Tsfany
Are you living a deeply fulfilled, happy life—or do you long for something more, something that might even seem out of reach?

Happiness is the ultimate achievement. But as Spinoza said, “All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.” One reason happiness seems elusive is the sheer amount of bad advice cluttering the path—ideas like “don’t follow your passion” and even “happiness is impossible.” Some of these myths sound plausible, making them even more dangerous.

In this talk, Tal Tsfany will clear away harmful misconceptions and lay out rational alternatives for creating a truly fulfilling life. Building on what he’s learned from Ayn Rand, Tal shares ideas for how to put a philosophy of happiness into practice. In a companion workshop following the talk—“Building a Career You Love”—he provides additional guidance on applying these ideas in one’s professional life.
1:30 PM

Building a Career You Love (Workshop)

Tal Tsfany
3:00 PM

Q&A Panel

Yaron Brook
Onkar Ghate
Tal Tsfany
4:30 PM

Closing Remarks

Objectivist Conferences / Ayn Rand® Institute reserves the right to make necessary adjustments to the schedule. Speakers, talks and events will be added periodically, as they are confirmed.

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