---
title: "Zhu Xi | Learning of Principle | Thought Archive"
number: "029"
slug: "029-zhu-xi"
author: "Wenzi / 文子"
language: "en"
canonical: "https://tongzai.space/en/thought-archive/029-zhu-xi/"
is_primary_text: true
---

# Zhu Xi（Learning of Principle）



## Common research question

**Why does Zhu Xi emphasize investigation of things?**

Zhu Xi's investigation of things connects the study of patterns in particular affairs with moral learning. It does not mean one must catalog every object in the universe before living. Principle, material force, human nature, mind, and cultivation play different roles; commentaries and recorded conversations require distinct handling.

## Interpretive boundary

Disciple-compiled conversations should be distinguished from authored editions; technical terms require care.

## Archive evidence

- [E-19 ｜ Supplementary commentary on the investigation of things and extension of knowing in the Daxue zhangju : “When effort has been applied for long, suddenly one morning one breaks through, and then the outside and inside, the fine and the coarse of all things are reached, and the whole substance and great function of my heart are all made bright. This is called the investigation of things; this is called the utmost of knowing” [Evidential status] Zhu Xi states explicitly that he wrote the supplementary commentary taking Master Cheng’s intent; it is Zhu Xi’s own T1 composition and may not be downgraded to auxiliary evidence merely because of intellectual borrowing.](#E-19)
- [E-11 ｜ Classified Conversations of Master Zhu , juan 27: “Only when one can, in the particular differentiations, understand for each affair and thing, each head and item, its proper way, does one then know that principle is originally one thread”](#E-11)