This seminar puts Kant's critique of metaphysics in dialogue with the rationalist philosophy that preceded and provoked it. We read some key texts by pre-Kantian metaphysicians, as well as the pre-critical Kant, and then look at Kant's anti-metaphysical arguments in the Critique of Pure Reason (1781). This is a joint course between Princeton and Rutgers, and is co-taught by Professor Martin Lin of Rutgers Philosophy. Seminars are held at Princeton and Rutgers in an alternating fashion.