An analysis of the similarities and differences in the theory of "Gewu Zhizhi" (Investigating Things to Extend Knowledge) among various Confucian scholars
诸子格物致知工夫论异同辨析

摘要

作为中国传统儒家思想中的重要概念，格物致知论在一定程度上展示了古人观察世界、认知自我的整体思维与具体策略，是其探索事物普遍规律，挖掘自身内在价值的思辨手段与认知基础。本文首先对孔孟、程朱、陆王诸子格物致知的相同处进行揭示，然后以时间为脉络分别对孔孟“仁学”、程朱“理学”与陆王“心学”的格物致知工夫论思想差异展开内容梳理与深度辨析，探索不同阶段格物致知论的理念特点，以期为相关研究的进一步开展提供全新角度的参考意见。

Abstract

As an important concept in traditional Confucian thought, the theory of Gewu Zhizhi (investigating things to extend knowledge) reflects, to some extent, the holistic thinking and specific strategies employed by ancient Chinese thinkers in observing the world and understanding the self. It served as a cognitive foundation and dialectical method for exploring universal laws and uncovering intrinsic human values. This paper first examines the commonalities in the interpretations of Gewu Zhizhi by Confucius and Mencius, the Cheng-Zhu School, and the Lu-Wang School. Then, following a chronological framework, it systematically analyzes and compares the differences in their respective approaches—Confucius and Mencius’s "Doctrine of Benevolence (Renxue)," the Cheng-Zhu School’s "Neo-Confucianism (Lixue)," and the Lu-Wang School’s "Philosophy of Mind (Xinxue)." By exploring the conceptual characteristics of Gewu Zhizhi at different stages, this study aims to provide new perspectives for further research in related fields.