分析哲學只講語言與概念分析，離棄形上學與宇宙論，不過是不合時宜的失實之言。在當代形上學長足的發展中，除了新穎議題的發掘，學者們亦未有遺忘啟蒙思想家留下的「長青議題」，例如：物質的根本特質為何，是運動性還是一些更質性的性質？物質在性質以外還有「實體」嗎？物質有著不可知的本質嗎？何謂「初性」與「次性」？空間是怎樣的存在？自然定律與物質的關係為何？

本課程的主題，正是分析哲學家如何重新發掘啟蒙思想家的形上學思想，並將之置入當代討論的框架。課程特別關注兩本影響力巨大的分析形上學鉅著：Rae Langton的Kantian Humility: Our Ignorance of Things in Themselves與J.L. Mackie的Problems from Locke。這兩部作品除了是對康德與洛克此二歷史人物的重要詮釋，本身亦被當代形上學家視為重要的獨立論述。特別是Langton的專著，作為一種對康德的物質理論的獨特詮釋，更可謂一時無兩，帶動了一個世代的形上學討論，其中包括了Lewis、Pettit、Jackson、Pereboom、Stoljar、Smith等著名形上學家的論述。分析哲學大師David Lewis更曾不諱言，他不特別在意Langton的康德詮釋是否符合歷史，卻在意它是否為真。

本課程的討論主軸，在於探討這些再詮釋的哲學理論是否為真，但除此之外，亦旨在追根尋源，探索現代自然觀與宇宙觀的形上學根基。本課程也特別歡迎擁有哲學史等背景或問題意識的同學參與，以提供不一樣的討論角度。

本課程也邀請了德國哲學史專業及當代康德主義哲學專業的老師參與討論。

It has been said that analytical philosophy discusses only language and conceptual analysis, and abandons metaphysics and philosophical cosmology, but this is nothing but an immensely outdated statement. In the rapid development of contemporary metaphysics, in addition to novel issues, attention has been drawn to the "perennial issues" left by Enlightenment thinkers. For example, what is the fundamental nature of matter, whether it is just motions or something more qualitative? Apart from its properties, does matter consist of some "substance"? Does matter have an unknowable fundamental nature? What are "primary qualities" and "secondary qualities"? What actually is space? What is the relationship between matter and the laws of nature?

The subject of this course is how analytic philosophers have rediscovered the metaphysical theses of the Enlightenment thinkers and readapted them into contemporary discussions. The course pays particular attention to two influential masterpieces in analytical metaphysics: Rae Langton's Kantian Humility: Our Ignorance of Things in Themselves and J.L. Mackie's Problems from Locke. In addition to being important interpretations of Kant and Locke, these two works are themselves considered important independent treatises by contemporary metaphysicians. In particular, Langton's work, which is an in-depth discussion of Kant’s view on matter, has influenced a generation of discussions in metaphysics, which involves the important work of Lewis, Pettit, Jackson, Pereboom, Stoljar, Smith, and others. Even David Lewis, one of the most important analytic philosophers, has made it clear that he does not particularly care whether Langton's Kant interpretation is historically accurate, but whether it is true.

The primary focus of this course is to explore whether these reinterpreted philosophical theories are true, but in addition, it also aims to trace the metaphysical foundations of modern outlooks on nature and cosmology. This course also welcomes students with a background or interest in the history of philosophy, with an invitation to offer some different perspectives for discussion.

We have also invited experts in contemporary Kantian philosophy and history of German philosophy to join the discussion.