왕양명의 격물공부론

Abstract

This thesis examined Wang Yang-ming's view point of the investigation of things(格物). Chu Hsi and Wang thought of the investigation of things as the beginning point of study, and both of them regarded ultimate purpose of study as to become a sage samely. But, they understood the investigation of things in a totally different way. Chu and Wang's these different opinions resulted from their distinctive educational points of view. The stages of beginner and sage differently, and the methodology for being sage were perceived differently by them. In other words, they had distinctive perspective of the learner's stage and educational goal. Chu clung to his position that one must know before he can act. He maintained his opinion that the first consideration to become a sage was the external researches such as reading and studying. So, Chu considered that exerting the mind to the utmost(盡心), knowing one's nature(知性), and knowing Heaven(知天) were equivalent to the investigation of things and the extension of knowledge(致知) as the knowledge domain; that preserving the mind(存心), nourishing one's nature(養性), and serving Heaven(事天) were equivalent to the sincerity of the will(誠意), the rectification of the mind(正心), and the cultivation of the personal life(修身) as the action domain; that not allowing any double-mindedness regardless of the longevity of brevity of life but cultivating the personal life while waiting for fate to take its own course(夭壽不貳修身以俟) were the perfection of knowledge and the complete realization of humanity as the parallel advance domain of knowledge and action, all of which are matters pertaining to the sage. Wang, however, are diametrically opposed to those th those of Chu. Exerting the mind to the utmost, knowing one's nature, and knowing Heaven are understood as matters known from birth and are practiced naturally and easily(生知安行). They are perceived as matters pertaining to the sage. Preserving the mind, nourshing one's nature, and serving Heaven are understood as matters learned through study and practiced for their advantage(學知而行). They are perceived as matters pertaining to the worthy. Not allowing any double-mindedness regardless of the longevity of brevity of life but cultivating the personal life while waiting for fate to take its own course are understood as matters learned through hard work and practiced with effort and difficulty(困知勉行). They are perceived as matters pertaining to the student. Wang suggest the way to become a sage as the sincerity. His important studies are not the intellectual, epistemological studies, but the rectifying study of one's mind or intention sincerely . So, Wang reinterpreted the investigation of things as the rectifying one's mind or intention(格意). And, his the conception of knowledge contains the conception of action. He clung to his position that the unity of knowledge and action.