Our Mission

About the Mind on Fire Institute

The Mind on Fire Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to lifelong learning, inner transformation, and the pursuit of wisdom through the great works of philosophy, literature, and art.

We believe that timeless texts still speak—and that engaging with them in the right setting can spark real change: in how we see the world, how we relate to one another, and how we live our lives.

Our Mission

Our mission is to ignite the transformative power of intellectual curiosity, fostering community engagement through the exploration of timeless literature, philosophy, and art to inspire meaningful dialogue, critical thinking, and personal growth.

We do this by creating small, discussion-based learning communities—where inquiry unfolds naturally, without dogma or hierarchy. Participants come not to perform, but to wrestle with ideas, reflect deeply, and connect across generations and backgrounds.

Our Vision

We envision a world where individuals and communities are enriched by the wisdom of the past, empowered to address the challenges of the present, and united in creating a future rooted in cultural, ethical, and intellectual flourishing.

What Makes MOFI Unique

MOFI is not a university. It’s not a book club. It’s not a self-help course.
It’s something rarer: an imagination-imbued, intellectually rigorous community that blends deep reading with creative interpretation, ancient wisdom with present-day relevance.

We gather around the fire of shared inquiry—whether we’re reading Lucretius, Montaigne, or modern science fiction—and let that fire illuminate our own lives and times.

Founded and directed by Elias Brockman, the Mind on Fire Institute builds on more than six years of successful pilot programs. In addition to leading MOFI, Elias teaches as an adjunct professor at Baruch College and Temple University, and previously worked as a forensic accountant. At heart, he is an investigator of ideas—bringing an interdisciplinary lens to the challenges of our time.

Your support helps us build a living tradition—one rooted in wisdom, open inquiry, and the belief that learning should last a lifetime.