In the science of science, "learning from things" and "preserving heavenly principles to eliminate human desires" are the core philosophical concepts.
Knowing things"It is an important concept in ancient Chinese Confucianism, which first appeared in the "Zhou Yi", and was later valued and developed by Song and Ming scholars, especially Zhu Xi and others. "Knowing from Things" provides the epistemological basis of physical science, emphasizing the purpose of understanding heavenly principles through in-depth study of things and their laws. This is not only a pursuit of knowledge, but also a way of spiritual cultivation. In this process, "Gewu" is not only the study of external things, but more importantly, the reflection of the heart through things to achieve self-improvement. In science, knowledge and morality are not separated, and the ultimate purpose of "enlightenment" is to guide one's moral behavior through an in-depth understanding of heavenly principles. Therefore, "learning from things" is actually a bridge between epistemology and ethics.
Save the principles of heaven and go to people's desires"It is an important concept in Cheng Yi's thought and the core of Lixue ethical thought, emphasizing the pursuit of consistency with the moral principles of the universe and the restraint of personal selfish desires in personal cultivation. This thought reflects the great importance that Rigaku attaches to the moral perfection of human beings and social harmony. Through "preserving heavenly principles", individuals are not only morally enhanced, but also can play a positive role in society, promoting social harmony and stability. "Eliminating human desires" is a necessary condition for achieving personal moral improvement, and by restraining selfish desires, individuals can better practice heavenly principles and make greater contributions to society.
Although "learning from things" focuses on the pursuit of knowledge and the essence of things, while "preserving heavenly principles and eliminating human desires" focuses more on the practice of ethics and morality, the two actually complement each other. Through the knowledge of things, people can deeply understand the truth of things, and then understand what is the principle of heaven; In the process of practicing heavenly principles and eliminating human desires, it is necessary to have a deep understanding and knowledge of things. In this way, individuals are not only able to improve their moral cultivation, but also to reach a higher level of knowledge and wisdom.
In the Song and Ming dynasties, these two concepts were regarded as the key to the development of ideal personality and intelligence, embodying the Confucian educational philosophy of combining learning and morality. Through continuous study, practice and self-improvement, individuals can achieve a harmonious unity of morality and wisdom, and realize the all-round development of the individual and the harmony and stability of society.