本課程介紹形上學這一哲學領域。修課同學應注意：目前對於課程的規劃仍有可能變動，因此同學務必出席第一堂課；具體課程內容與評分方式將以第一堂課上的說明為準。按照目前規劃，我們將仔細研讀 Alyssa Ney 介紹形上學的著作。如同 Ney 所指出，形上學的核心關懷是「實在的結構」 (structure of reality)，而對此結構的討論至少包含兩類議題：「何種事物存在，以及其最根本、最普遍的特性與 關係為何」 (what kinds of entities exist and what are their most fundamental and general features and relations) ⋆。舉例來說，我們可以問：如果真與美等價值是抽象的事物，那麼抽象的事物存在嗎？或者它們僅存在於進行價值判斷的人心中？另外，法制與市場等社會現象在什麼意義上存在？它們存在的方式是否與物理現象的存在方式同樣根本？這些問題都是形上學問題，而它們展現了形上學在哲學思考中的重要性。在本課程中，我們將檢視抽象物、種族、可能性、因果關係等形上學議題，希望能透過對這些議題的討論，建立更具系統性的思考方式。
⋆Ney 2023: xi.This course is an introduction to metaphysics, an area of philosophy. Students taking the course should note that the current course plan may still change, so students must attend the first class; the specific course content and scoring method will be subject to the instructions in the first class. As currently planned, we will take a closer look at Alyssa Ney's introductory metaphysics work. As Ney pointed out, the core concern of metaphysics is the "structure of reality", and the discussion of this structure includes at least two types of issues: "What kind of things exist, and their most fundamental and universal characteristics and What kinds of entities exist and what are their most fundamental and general features and relations) ⋆. For example, we can ask: If values such as truth and beauty are abstract things, do abstract things exist? Or do they exist only in the minds of those who make value judgments? In addition, in what sense do social phenomena such as the legal system and the market exist? Is the way they exist as fundamental as the way physical phenomena exist? These questions are metaphysical questions, and they demonstrate the importance of metaphysics in philosophical thinking. In this course, we will examine metaphysical issues such as abstraction, race, possibility, and causality, hoping to establish a more systematic way of thinking through discussions of these issues.
⋆Ney 2023: xi.
在中西思想發展中，對於宇宙人生普遍原理的整體思辨，以及對於終極真際(ultimate reality)的理性關懷，不僅指示了哲學之為形上學的追求，也標誌了人類心智與精神活動的重大成就。什麼是構成宇宙自然的基本原理？什麼是支配宇宙自然的普遍法則？這原理與法則和人有什麼關係？人在宇宙之中，居於何等地位？什麼是宇宙人生的究極真相？在變遷不已的表面現象背後，是否有永恆不變的原理？對於這些永恆哲學的同時也是形上學的問題，無論中西，古代賢哲都曾提出各種解答。這些答案頗有相似之處；說明人類思想發展到崇高境界的時候，確有能超越特殊歷史和社會背景的精神會通。然而另一方面，這些答案也有相異之處，正好說明中西思想與哲學同途殊歸的發展。本課程主要將介紹 (一) 中西形上學的概念與意義；(二) 研究範圍與主要課題；（三）歷史流變概述；（四）當代形上學主要議題。
In the development of Chinese and Western thought, the overall speculation on the universal principles of the universe and life, and the rational concern for ultimate reality, not only indicate the metaphysical pursuit of philosophy, but also mark the major achievements of human mental and spiritual activities. . What are the basic principles that constitute the nature of the universe? What are the universal laws that govern the nature of the universe? What is the relationship between this principle, law, and people? What is the position of man in the universe? What is the ultimate truth of life in the universe? Behind the ever-changing surface phenomena, are there eternal principles? For these eternal philosophical and metaphysical questions, ancient sages, both Chinese and Western, have proposed various solutions. These answers are quite similar; it shows that when human thought develops to a lofty realm, there is indeed a spiritual understanding that can transcend special historical and social backgrounds. However, on the other hand, these answers also have differences, which just illustrates the development of Chinese and Western thought and philosophy in the same way but in different directions. This course will mainly introduce (1) the concepts and significance of Chinese and Western metaphysics; (2) research scope and main topics; (3) overview of historical changes; (4) major issues in contemporary metaphysics.
Ney, Alyssa. 2023. Metaphysics: An Introduction. Second Edition. New York: Routledge.
ney, Alyssa. 2023. metaphysics: an Introduction. second edition. New York: R out several.
| 評分項目 Grading Method | 配分比例 Grading percentage | 說明 Description |
|---|---|---|
| 期中考期中考 midterm exam |
30 | |
| 期末考期末考 final exam |
30 | |
| 出席出席 Attend |
10 |
