A Study of Galt’s Speech

Onkar Ghate · May 10, 2024

“This is John Galt speaking.”

Thus begins Ayn Rand’s explanation of her revolutionary philosophy, Objectivism—perfectly integrated into the plot of her greatest novel.

This lecture course studies Galt’s speech and integrates it with the rest of the story. Dr. Ghate offers an illuminating breakdown of its component parts and shows why each is essential to the novel. He considers how its abstract philosophical points explain events in the story. Finally, since “Galt’s Speech” is Ayn Rand’s most carefully crafted statement of Objectivism, Dr. Ghate examines her precise formulations on such questions as: why altruism is the morality of death; and why evasion is the root of evil.

The course outline can be found here.

About Instructor

Onkar Ghate

Onkar Ghate, PhD in philosophy, is the chief philosophy officer and a senior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute. He is ARI’s resident expert on Objectivism and serves as its head trainer and editor. He has taught philosophy for over twenty years at the Institute.

21 Courses

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Course Includes

  • 5 Lessons
  • Course Faculty

    Onkar Ghate
    Onkar Ghate
    Dr. Ghate is senior fellow, chief philosophy officer, and a board member of the Ayn Rand Institute. He specializes in Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism, and is ARI’s senior instructor and editor. He publishes and lectures on Rand’s philosophy and fiction, including application of Objectivism to cultural issues. He holds a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Calgary.