On the Evolution of Taizhou School Based on the Interpretation of The Great Learning,“Investigation of things”,“Extension of Knowledge” —Case Studies of Wang Gen,Luo Rufang and Li Zhi

The Confucian classic The Great Learning advocates investigation of things,extension of knowledge,sincerity in one’s thought,rectification of one’s heart,cultivation of one’s self,regulation of one’s family,ordering well one’s state,making the whole world tranquil,based on self-cultivation. Since Zhu Xi’s version of“The Great Learning”emerged and finally took shape,for hundreds of years,the readers of this book were affected. Studies in Ming dynasty were accompanied by the continuous interpretation and detailed elaboration of“The Great Learning”. Its core concept kept changing in accordance with the social context. Taizhou school was particularly representative,from Wang Gen’s “Huainan investigation of things”,to Li Zhi’s “innocence”,which was the later development of Wang Yangming’s presupposed concept of“conscience” and the continuous reconstruction of this system. The development from the concept of presupposed conscience to the emphasis put on practices,not only reduces the dynamics of the former system,but alsomarks the end of the Wang Yangming’s theories.