Austrian Economics Center | Hayek Institut

Next meetup in 4 days! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗽: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗼 (𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝘁) Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 6:30pm-8:30pm Hayek Saal @ Hayek Institute/Austrian Economics Center Ever get the sneaking suspicion that your goals, your anxieties, and even your daily choices aren't entirely your own? We like to think we are the absolute captains of our minds. But the reality is that from the moment we wake up, we are swimming in a deep sea of cultural hand-me-down ideas. From the media we consume to the institutional trends we work under, we passively absorb assumptions about what is "good," what is "successful," and what is "fair." Without realizing it, most of us are operating on an intellectual autopilot—living by a philosophy we never explicitly chose. When those unexamined, invisible assumptions clash with our actual lives, the result isn't just intellectual confusion; it manifests as real-world friction. It looks like career burnout, persistent self-doubt, chronic hesitation when making big decisions, or a vague, lingering sense of aimlessness. This discussion event is designed to pull back the curtain on those invisible forces. We will dive into how abstract ideas directly dictate your personal values, your professional ambitions, and your psychological clarity. You will walk away not just with theoretical knowledge, but with a highly practical toolkit to audit your own thinking, discard passive cultural baggage, and reclaim a fierce, genuine intellectual independence. Whether you are completely new to philosophy or looking to sharpen your critical thinking, this event offers a grounded, open space to challenge the status quo of your own mind. Read the text and come to the discussion! courses.aynrand.org/works/ph… Open/Public discussion, registration not required but appreciated Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 6:30pm-8:30pm Hayek Saal, Grünangergasse 1/15-1, 1010 Wien Ring at Hayek Institute at the green gate Do it again at the second door (on the left) Hayek Saal is on the first floor (right)

Next meetup in 5 days! Tuesday, June 2, 2026 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹? 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 The modern world is trapped in a profound and lethal contradiction. On one hand, we witness the magnificent achievements of human reason: skyscrapers, industry, advanced science. On the other hand, we witness an absolute cultural bankruptcy. We are told by contemporary intellectuals that while science deals with objective facts, morality is a matter of mere whim, social consensus, or mystical faith. This is the myth of the "morally neutral" scientist. But reason cannot be split in half. Science cannot be neutral. In her essay “To Young Scientists,” Ayn Rand explains that when a scientist claims to be "above the battle," they do not remain pure. They become a functional asset producing material wonders on demand, while blindly surrendering the keys of their intellect to the state, the bureaucrat, or the brute. To separate knowledge from values is to declare that the mind has a duty to think, but no right to judge. It is an act of supreme moral cowardice that leaves civilization at the mercy of unguided force. The issues we will discuss: 1. The Morality of Science: What should guide scientific inquiry and what role does morality play in science? How are virtues like integrity and honesty applied in science and what are the ethical responsibilities of a scientist if any? 2. The Science of Morality: If we use reason to discover the laws of physics, why do we abandon reason when defining how a human being ought to live? Can ethics be derived objectively from the factual requirements of human survival? 3. The Tyranny of the Unthinking: When the men of the mind refuse to take a moral stand, who fills the vacuum? Why does the abdication of the intellect always result in the rise of political brutality? This is an open, structured philosophical discussion for those who refuse to let their minds be enslaved by the status quo. Read the text and come to the discussion! courses.aynrand.org/works/to… Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 6.30pm-8.30pm Hayek Saal, Grünangergasse 1/15-1, 1010 Wien Ring at Hayek Institute at the green gate Do it again at the second door (on the left) Hayek Saal is on the first floor (right)

Next meetup in 5 days! Tuesday, May 12, 2026 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝘆 In our daily lives, we are constantly bombarded by "musts." You must work hard, you must be a good citizen, you must sacrifice for others. We often call this "duty," and we are told it is the highest form of virtue. But what if this sense of duty is actually a trap that disconnects us from reality and our own happiness? In this event, we'll explore one of the most fundamental tensions in philosophy: the clash between a life driven by duty and a life guided by causality where actions flow from clear goals, values, and the reality of cause and effect. We'll draw on Ayn Rand's powerful essay "Causality Versus Duty," which challenges traditional moral ideas rooted in thinkers like Immanuel Kant and makes a compelling case for a reason-based approach to ethics that puts human life, achievement, and happiness first. No philosophy degree required: The discussion is designed for curious minds from all backgrounds. We'll break down big ideas into accessible insights, with room for questions, personal reflections, and diverse viewpoints. Bring your questions, experiences, and an open mind. Let's challenge assumptions and discover what a fulfilling life really looks like. Expect lively debate, not dry lecturing! We will cover questions like: 1. How is happiness achieved? 2. What does duty mean? 3. Does one have any duties in life? Read the text and come to the discussion! courses.aynrand.org/works/ca… Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 6.30pm-8.30pm Hayek Saal, Grünangergasse 1/15-1, 1010 Wien Ring at Hayek Institute at the green gate Do it again at the second door (on the left) Hayek Saal is on the first floor (right)