Here you will find information on the
following:
Introduction
You awaken as the summer sun rises above the
stunning foothills of the Colorado Rockies. You have breakfast with more than two hundred
remarkable people, all of whom share your commitment to reason and individualism.
Then you enter a classroom where Ayn Rand's philosophy
of Objectivism is explained and expanded by brilliant teachers—where your most
challenging questions aren't discouraged, but welcomed. And this open, benevolent
community is gathered at a place of breathtaking beauty and cultural riches. It's a
place where you can hike beside a mountain stream, take in a Shakespeare comedy, or dine
in an elegant Russian restaurant to the plaintive sounds of a balalaika and guitar.
At times, you feel you've entered the pages of an Ayn
Rand novel. But this is not fiction. On Independence Day, it will become reality for
you—at the ninth annual Summer Seminar of the Institute for Objectivist Studies, on
the Boulder campus of the University of Colorado.
You'll enrich your understanding of Objectivism, and better apply its
principles to your own life. You'll explore cultural and political issues with
leading thinkers and activists. You'll learn from outstanding academics about new
scholarship at the frontiers of Objectivist theory.
You'll choose from a rich menu of presentations, ranging
from the elementary to the advanced: from practical workshops on effective communication,
to cutting-edge presentations about space and time. You can attend workshops on acting and
poetry, or a discussion on ethics with leading philosophers.
 After hours, there's plenty of free time to
greet old friends and make new ones. You'll mingle with a superb faculty and fellow
participants for informal discussions over meals, or in the Common Room each evening. Or
you can host a participant- sponsored session about your own interests, hobbies, or
causes. Then there's the fun of our opening cookout...the many local recreational and
cultural activities...our annual talent show...and the exciting closing banquet, with
dancing late into the night...
The Boulder campus of
the University of Colorado is one of the nation's most popular conference sites.
Nestled beneath spectacular rock formations known as "the Flatirons," Boulder is
a haven for bicyclists, climbers, and world-class runners. Just 30 miles from Denver, this
charming community offers a wealth of cultural opportunities. You can enjoy fine dining,
arts-and-crafts shops, or outstanding theatrical and musical productions.
| Past participants have praised the Seminar as...
"...the highlight of the year for me, intellectually
and socially. It has gone
a long way toward re-energizing my interest in Objectivism."
"...an excellent combination of education and
recreation, as well as a great
opportunity to meet people who share your fundamental values."
"...brilliantly conceived, flawlessly executed, and
warmly appreciated." |
Our 1997 Seminar attracted more than 240 people from all
over the world. Among our returning "alumni" and dozens of first-time
participants were students and retirees, doctors and homemakers, physicists and foresters,
businessmen and artists.
So join us on Independence
Day—for a week of incomparable stimulation, companionship, and renewal.
Conference
Life
It's midnight, but for those in the Common Room,
the night is still young! In one corner, a pianist accompanies a writer who is belting out
Broadway show tunes. Elsewhere, students pepper a faculty member with questions, while
smaller groups debate ideas, share hobbies, tell jokes...or plan joint business ventures.
The Common Room is the hub of evening social activity. Its
informality makes it easy for you to meet new people, chat about the day's events,
argue about philosophy, share interests.
For eight years, the IOS Summer Seminar has provided far more
than lectures and classroom discussion. In fact, past participants have praised the whole
experience: the intellectual and emotional sum of living through seven intense days of
discovery and fellowship.
 The experience begins immediately after you arrive, at the opening
cookout on Saturday, July 4, and doesn't stop until the closing
dinner and dance on Friday, where we all celebrate the week and make plans to
stay in touch.
On other evenings, you can attend Participant-Sponsored
Sessions—or sponsor one yourself! Participants can conduct their own
lectures, workshops, or performances. Last year, these ran the gamut from talks on the
separation of church and state to an introduction to jazz, from an examination of the
benevolent universe premise to "Management by Objectivism."
 Thursday evening's "In Performance"
showcases the many talents of our participants. If you're a musician, comic, actor,
dancer, poet, or director, this is your night to shine!
During
free time periods each day, you may use the University's splendid
athletic and recreational facilities, including a gym, pool, and tennis courts. The
Wednesday afternoon and evening schedule is left open, so you have a chance to tour the
surrounding area. You can climb a mountain...visit a casino...explore an art
gallery...enjoy a concert. Or you can do something symbolic. In 1996, a handful of
intrepid explorers chartered a small plane and flew over the Rockies to Ouray, the valley
town that served as Ayn Rand's model for "Galt's Gulch."
All this and more awaits you. But the foundation of the
Seminar is intellectual stimulation. Each day, our program offers you a choice of
sessions designed to meet your own interests and level of knowledge. Besides the
formal presentations, there are informal sessions for students and faculty in specialized
fields, plus meetings of Objectivist discussion groups.
For more information on the 1998 Summer Seminar, see also:
Program | Schedule
|
