The Philosophical Examination Of "Explore Knowledge From Investigation Of Things" Theory

The concept of "Explore Knowledge from Investigation of Things" cite from "Great Learning ·The Book of Rites ".In Han dynasty there is almost no separate study for "The Great learning".Until the Tang and Song dynasties, with the rapid development of Buddhism, Hanyu fought against Buddhism with ardor, then "The Great learning" began to receive attention, and The concept of Knowledge exploration elucidates new meaning in succession. Neo-Confucianism develops rapidly in Song Dynasty, scholars committed to construct their own theoretical system, lay metaphysical foundation for the approach concept, Cheng Hao as the representative of academic school who propose the identity of ontology and practice of Kungfu, its featured the ontology elucidation means phenomenon clear; While Cheng Yi, represented with a horizontal-subject theoretical system, He proposes to separate ontology and practice of Kongfu, the accumulation of Kungfu to comprehend the ontology of the goal; another branch is Yang Shi,as the representative theoretical system of "co-inside and outside", based on Cheng Hao’s oneness ideology theory, focused on the assimilation of inside and outside, subject and object, so as to conciliate with the two-way theories between Cheng Hao and ChengYi. "Explore knowledge from investigation of things" in Ming dynasty focus on upgrading the stage of Ontology and Kong Fu. Wang Yangming as the representative, his study of heartmind Interfused heaven、principle and matter, which combine mind and matter、cognition and practice、things and knowledge、ontology and Kungfu together. But it’s difficult for followers to comprehend his deep meaning, which resulting in dichotomous of noumenon and Kungfu. From mid to late Ming dynasty, there is constantly evaluations and criticism on Zhuxi and Yangming. However, two sharply different theories of Zhu and Wang also showed a tendency to integration. It seems that most Confucian philosophers come across obstacles in theory construction in late Ming Dynasty, Whether Zhan Ruoshui expected redefinition of heart mind ontology and manifoldness, or Luo Qinshun"s effort of canceling "Self and Other" antagonism, or Wang Gen and Liu Zongzhou search the integration between "Extending Knowledge from Investigation of Things" and illustrious virtue back to Confucian original text.The Qing philosopher made profound reflection on knowledge exploration of the late Ming Confucianism, abandoned the bifurcation in Neo Confucianism betweenZhuxi and Wangyangming, reexplore the connotation of knowledge extension. During this period, in the Kungfu of investigation things, philosophers generally pursue the external practice heart and soul. With the development thinking subject and times, the concept of "Exploring knowledge from investigation of things" constantly turn into further stage. Study on the rheology can display each philosophers deep reflection on knowledge extension, comprehend the universals and particulars of reason through the study on the ideological characteristics of the knowledge extension.Study on this subject not only radiate every thinkers characteristic, but also reflect the main theme of times through philosopher thinking. The structure plasticity and rich connotation of this concept can provide enlightenment to contemporary creative transformation of Confucian philosophy; deepen the understanding of Confucianism, which provide guideline to the solution of knowledge expansion and moral loss, or resolve the contradictions between study and virtue.