Wang Yang-ming's "Extension Of Intuitive Knowledge" And Its Value

The main point is stressed on the theoretical construction and moral value when we try to study Ming dynasty philosopher Wang Yang-ming's theory of "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge".At first, we enter the category "Intuitive Knowledge" and study its historical origin, stress the foundation of "Si-meng School", and therefore show the theory of Wang Yang-ming inherited the tradition of "Si-meng School". Besides, we could find deeper origin in the Confucian itself from the theory of Wang Yang-ming, mostly the continuity of the Cheng-Chu Idea of Li. In the basis of inherited from the predecessor and synthesize with Buddhism and Daoism, Wang Yang-ming reconstructed the category "Intuitive Knowledge" from the ontological point, give the status to "Intuitive Knowledge" as "Tian-li or Justice" in Cheng-Chu Idea of Li. Through this study of Mind school, we found the consciousness of "Intuitive Knowledge" could stimulate one's sense of mission, and then have the positive significance to maintenance and reconstruction of social morality.Related with "Intuitive Knowledge" ontology is his moral views of practice of "Unity between Knowing and Practicing". Many philosophers gave their understanding to The relationship between Knowing and Practicing, which is a important issue in Chinese philosophy. Distinctive ethical color is shown when Confucians are dealing with this issue, say, Wang Yang-ming's idea on "Unity between Knowing and Practicing" inherited this spirit。At his time, there have been very serious problems like moral Knowledge losing contact with moral practice, many people are just talking and no acting, hence in the discussion of "Unity between Knowing and Practicing", Wang Yang-ming shows the spirit of being in this world and stressing practice in Confucianism incisively.The final expressing form is Wang Yang-ming's Hsin hsueh or Mind school is "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge". We think, "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge" is the synthesis between "Intuitive Knowledge" ontology and "Unity between Knowing and Practicing" moral views of practice. With the social background of his time, we studied the spirit of moral autonomy shown in his theory of "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge". The reason why Wang Yang-ming want and could create this theory and why he pay so much attention to the spirit of moral autonomy, the cause can be find in many respects. When Confucian theory was influenced by Buddhist theory, Confucian scholars paid more and more attentions to thinking method and studying method of subjective and introspection, with it the theory of "Si-meng School" was paid attentions to, and even was given more content, which is exclusively distinctive in Wang Yang-ming. He mastered the thought of Buddhism and Daoism, and was aware of its disadvantage. By synthesis and innovation of three teaching (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism), his "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge" could correct the social abuse that get rapid spreading at his time. To this extent, the social disorder and moral decline at his time undoubtedly compelled him to think, and recreate a theory which could expose the spirit of moral autonomy. Moreover, in the situation of Wang Yang-ming's knowledge of Buddhism and Daoism, not only he could use their advantage, but also could give a just judge to them, which is extremely invaluable for a Confucian. With contrast, some religious persons often doubt about Wang Yang-ming's Intuitive Knowledge. We give the example of one of Four Great Monks in Ming Dynasty Zhu-Hong袾宏who didn't against Confucian theory, and even esteem Confucius himself, but deny Wang Yang-ming's Intuitive Knowledge theory circuitously, to whom we give a rational analysis.In the last part, we give a comprehensive evaluation to Wang Yang-ming's "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge "。In theoretical aspects, his "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge" discards completely the opposite of duality in Cheng-Chu Idea of Li which give great initiative to moral practice subject, meanwhile doesn't lose the feature of this world, which distinctively differentiate from Zen Buddhism. Wang Yang-ming's "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge" greatly exceed Zhu-tzu's idea of Li in the completeness of theory aspect, is the peak of learning from Buddhism and Daoism, emphasizing the meaning, comprehensive innovation for Song-Ming Dynasty Confucians. Hence, Wang Yang-ming's "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge" has an extensive social influence at his time. The successors of Wang Yang-ming give a large popularity of his thought, and made a breakthrough theoretically. But for the reason the their study became more and more just talking about the Xing (Nature) and Ming (Life) which deepen the likeness of Zen for the Li study. When historically study the effect of "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge", we found it didn't save the social danger actually. Nevertheless, Wang Yang-ming provided a solution to it, and could do it by himself, which is really not easy. Furthermore, as a meaningful philosophical source, even nowadays we find many use from the aspects of moral ethic and environment ethic. Especially, we need to point that, nowadays, we are in the period of social transformation when there are many urgent social issues need to be solved. Wang Yang-ming's "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge" undoubtedly could be reference. To the individuals, to experience the sense of mission and the spirit of moral autonomy from "Extension of Intuitive Knowledge" and self-consciously establish and practice Socialist honor and disgrace outlook in ours deepest core, is really very helpful. As a young generation, we should notice that, Wang Yang-ming's theory of Intuitive Knowledge appeal sense of mission for the society to one, and by experiencing this, it can deepen our understanding of social obligations ourselves.