OCON 2025: A Week of Ideas in the Birthplace of American Independence

For OCON 2025, the Objectivist community gathered in Boston, the birthplace of the American Revolution. This year’s conference centered on the theme of the Enlightenment and attendees enjoyed a week filled with inspiring talks, panels, and social events.

In keeping with the theme, Yaron Brook, ARI’s chairman of the board, kicked off the conference with a talk, titled “What Is Western Civilization?” about how Enlightenment values — not Christian ones — are the defining feature of Western Civilization. During the opening reception, attendees had the opportunity to mingle and connect with new and old friends, setting a vibrant tone for the week ahead.

Throughout the week, attendees enjoyed many other incisive talks. Onkar Ghate offered a penetrating analysis of the troubling political trend toward populism in his talk, “Saving the Enlightenment.” He characterized the trend as a kind of blind self-assertion in the face of an ongoing orgy of self-sacrifice. Brad Thompson gave a lecture, “Revolutionary Constitutionalism,” explaining why America’s founders created a written constitution as the cornerstone of a new political order.

In “America Should Declare Independence from Altruism,” Ben Bayer explored how the shared acceptance of altruism explains the political right’s similarity and hostility to the left, and how this manifested in their reactions to COVID. The conference culminated with Don Watkins’s talk, “Enlightenment on Trial,” where he challenged the common smear that Enlightenment ideas lead to the tyranny of Robespierre. Watkins made a passionate case for reclaiming the Enlightenment’s true legacy as epitomized by the American Revolution and founding.

A new addition this year was a series of short, TED-style talks. A highlight of the series was Agustina Vergara Cid, who examined how due process is being dangerously eroded by modern immigration enforcement practices. Agustina also related moving personal news: she just recently became an American citizen, earning a hearty standing ovation from the audience.

During his keynote, Tal Tsfany, ARI’s CEO, announced several bold initiatives shaping ARI’s future. First, he announced that ARI is pursuing accreditation and will soon offer a master’s degree in Objectivist studies. He also unveiled The Atlas Circle, a new collaborative initiative which aims to unite intellectuals and businessmen in defense of business. As a part of this initiative, Tsfany presented a new book released by ARU Press: Profit Without Apology.

To build on last year’s announcement of the building of the Ayn Rand Center in Austin, Texas, Tsfany shared new construction details and highlighted features of the museum portion of the building, dubbed “The Ayn Rand Experience.” He formally invited everyone in the audience to attend the grand opening, planned for September 2, 2028.

From the annual poker tournament and talent show to swing dance lessons and an orchestra concert, there were more opportunities than ever for entertainment and socializing. As a special addition this year, attendees took part in a scavenger hunt through historic Boston, searching for clues while listening to brief talks from OCON speakers about key figures from the American Revolution: Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington.

Another highlight was the annual ARI Gala, this year celebrating 40 years since ARI’s founding. The evening included a moving tribute video featuring Mike Berliner, ARI’s first CEO, and a special panel discussion on ARI’s new Intellectual Incubator program. The Intellectual Incubator is a new training program inspired by startup incubators to help the next generation of Objectivist intellectuals launch their careers.

As the week drew to a close, attendees left Boston recharged, inspired, more deeply connected to Ayn Rand’s vision and to each other, and already counting the days to next year’s conference.

“My favorite part about OCON was meeting like-minded individuals,” Jordan, a scholarship student, told us. “Being able to have extended conversations with the friendly ARI intellectuals was incredibly stimulating. The entire experience provided the spiritual fuel to stay motivated in my future pursuits.”

Mark your calendars: OCON 2026 will take place in New Orleans from June 26 to 30.

We can’t wait to see you there!