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Unity of knowledge and action

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The Unity of knowledge and action (知行合一 Zhī xíng hé yī) is an epistemological concept in developed by Wang Yangming. It refers to the idea that knowledge and action should be integrated and mutually reinforcing, and that true wisdom can only be achieved through the practice of virtuous behavior.[1] It is related to the Western idea of virtue epistemology.

Overview

Chinese philosophy traditionally considered knowledge and action closely related byt still distinct[1]. Wang however went a step further and said there was no distinction[1]. He considered knowledge to be how to act in a given situation based upon his Philosophical anthropology, and his notion of liangzhi, or innate knowing.[1] This is linked to his idea of the world being a fundamentally dynamic process rather than a static one[1] and idea parallel to Process philosophy of the western world.

History

The term was coined by Wang Yangming[2] during the Ming dynasty.[3]

This position was a reaction to the position held by Zhu Xi where students were advocated to divide their studies into two parts: an initial theoretical part and a second practical part.[4] Wang argued this left people ineffectual[4]

Application

While western philosophers often have a notion of akrasia to describe someone willingly doing something morally wrong, Wang would argue that someone's verbal expression of knowledge something is wrong is insufficient evidence they know it if they do not already act on it[5], the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy provides an example of a student cheating while claiming it is wrong as not truly understanding what they are saying.[5]

Influence and Legacy

The concept of the Unity of Knowledge and Action has had a profound impact on Chinese culture and society, particularly in the areas of education, government, and social relationships. It has influenced the development of Chinese ethics, law, and political philosophy, and has been a guiding principle for generations of Chinese scholars and leaders.[citation needed]

The Unity of Knowledge and Action has also been a source of inspiration for scholars and practitioners of other philosophical traditions, including Taoism and Buddhism. Its emphasis on the importance of ethical behavior and practical wisdom has resonated with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds, and has contributed to the ongoing dialogue between East and West.[citation needed]

Today, the concept of the Unity of Knowledge and Action continues to be studied and practiced by scholars and practitioners of Chinese philosophy around the world. Its enduring legacy serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of ethical behavior and self-cultivation in the pursuit of personal and societal harmony.[citation needed]

It has been applied in medicine.[3]

Similar ideas can be found in the western literature. In Demian, Hermann Hesse writes that "only the thoughts that we live out have any value."[6] MIT's motto "Mens et Manus,"[7] or "Mind and Hand," also reflect the importance of combining the inner knowledge and actions as one.

See Also

Sources

[4] [1] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Wang Yangming (Wang Shou-Jen) | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy". Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  2. ^ The Unity of Knowledge and Action.
  3. ^ a b Lv, Xianli; Wu, Zhongxue (June 2018). "The philosophy of 'unity of knowledge and action' in interventional neuroradiology teaching". The Neuroradiology Journal. 31 (3): 330–332. doi:10.1177/1971400917707350. ISSN 1971-4009. PMC 5958493. PMID 28660798.
  4. ^ a b c https://philpapers.org/archive/LEDWIT.pdf
  5. ^ a b Van Norden, Bryan (2022), Zalta, Edward N.; Nodelman, Uri (eds.), "Wang Yangming", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2022 ed.), Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University, retrieved 2023-04-07
  6. ^ Hesse, Hermann. (2019). Demian. Dreamscape Media. ISBN 978-1-9749-3912-1. OCLC 1080083089.
  7. ^ "Mind and hand". MIT Admissions. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  8. ^ https://idp.springer.com/authorize?response_type=cookie&client_id=springerlink&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2Farticle%2F10.1007%2Fs11712-022-09853-9
  9. ^ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227222062_How_to_Make_Sense_of_the_Claim_True_Knowledge_is_What_Constitutes_Action_A_New_Interpretation_of_WANG_Yangming's_Doctrine_of_Unity_of_Knowledge_and_Action
  10. ^ https://muse.jhu.edu/article/724175/summary
  11. ^ https://www.jstor.org/stable/1399317
  12. ^ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1971400917707350
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