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<p>Scholars often question how Z<span>hu</span> Xi’s 朱熹 conception of <i>gewu</i> 格物 (the investigation of things) can lead to the cultivation of the heartmind and, therefore, to moral action. This article answers this question by reviewing how Z<span>hu</span> Xi’s metaphysics originates from that of the <i>Zhouyi</i> 周易 (<i>Classic of Changes</i>), in which the principle of the Supreme Polarity bifurcates and constitutes everything. <i>Gewu</i> therefore does not mean to study the principle of things as external knowledge, but to cultivate a synthetic comprehension (<i>guantong</i> 貫通) of how principles in things are all connected and all related to the principles of one’s heartmind. Such a hermeneutic intuition is the foundation to virtuous actions, as one would be able to intuit the principle at work in all complicated situations. To reach this hermeneutic intuition is also proof that one’s heartmind has been cleared, and I argue that this state of knowing is not qualitatively different from the highest ideal of sympathetic correspondence (<i>gantong</i> 感通) in the <i>Zhouyi</i>. To build my argument, I analyze Z<span>hu</span> Xi’s method of reading the <i>Zhouyi</i>, as he urges the thinker to not merely study the orthodox commentaries of the <i>Ten Wings</i> (<i>Shiyi</i> 十翼), but to interpret for oneself the meaning of the hexagram specific to the situation—as a challenge of whether one can see how the principle manifests in a certain context. The import of my argument is that it offers a counterview to the disenchantment of the modern world. Whereas modern science has cut a chasm between objective facts and subject meanings, Zhuzi’s 朱子 <i>gewu</i> allows every individual to interpret for the manifestations of the principle, while our understanding must be personal.</p>

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Investigating Things as Hexagrams: How Zhu Xi’s Gewu Cultivates the Heartmind

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月10日

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  • Tsaiyi Wu

摘要

Scholars often question how Zhu Xi’s 朱熹 conception of gewu 格物 (the investigation of things) can lead to the cultivation of the heartmind and, therefore, to moral action. This article answers this question by reviewing how Zhu Xi’s metaphysics originates from that of the Zhouyi 周易 (Classic of Changes), in which the principle of the Supreme Polarity bifurcates and constitutes everything. Gewu therefore does not mean to study the principle of things as external knowledge, but to cultivate a synthetic comprehension (guantong 貫通) of how principles in things are all connected and all related to the principles of one’s heartmind. Such a hermeneutic intuition is the foundation to virtuous actions, as one would be able to intuit the principle at work in all complicated situations. To reach this hermeneutic intuition is also proof that one’s heartmind has been cleared, and I argue that this state of knowing is not qualitatively different from the highest ideal of sympathetic correspondence (gantong 感通) in the Zhouyi. To build my argument, I analyze Zhu Xi’s method of reading the Zhouyi, as he urges the thinker to not merely study the orthodox commentaries of the Ten Wings (Shiyi 十翼), but to interpret for oneself the meaning of the hexagram specific to the situation—as a challenge of whether one can see how the principle manifests in a certain context. The import of my argument is that it offers a counterview to the disenchantment of the modern world. Whereas modern science has cut a chasm between objective facts and subject meanings, Zhuzi’s 朱子 gewu allows every individual to interpret for the manifestations of the principle, while our understanding must be personal.