Invented or Observed? Idealism, Objectivism, and What Is Real

The German Idealism of the 19th century claims that everything is mind-dependent, mind-oriented, mind-centered. The metaphysical view hold is very much centered on our thoughts instead of the world.

Kant writes, 'Der Verstand schöpft seine Gesetze (a priori) nicht aus der Natur, sondern schreibt sie dieser vor.'

In Ayn Rand's view we must distinguish the perceiving (consciousness) and the perceived (reality outside of consciousness). The perceived exists in addition to the perceiving and has its own nature.

Without this understanding our consciousness loses it's meaning as a perception device of reality and we are confronted with a reality that exists but that we are unable to deal with.

Let's discuss

1. How do we know an external world exists?

2. How do you think rationally about consciousness and reality?

3. How does the divide perceiving/perceived enable objective thinking?

4. What is logic in relation to this metaphysics?

We will use Ayn Rand's essay "The Metaphysical Versus the Man-Made" as basis.

Read the text and come to the discussion!

https://courses.aynrand.org/works/the-metaphysical-versus-the-man-made

Open/Public discussion. Registration is not required but appreciated.

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Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Hayek Saal @Hayek Institute/Austrian Economics Center

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 side)

It has a little white, labelled bell