Gewutong 格物通

Gewutong 格物通 "The complete [book] of investigation of things", also called Shengxue gewu tong 聖學格物通, is a philosophical book written during the mid-Ming period 明 (1368-1644) by Zhan Ruoshui 湛若水 (1466-1560).

The book with a length of 100 juan was finished in 1528 and imitates Qiu Jun's 邱濬 (1421-1495) Daxue yanyi bu 大學衍義補.

Zhan holds that the investigation of things, carried out to find the Heavenly principle (li 理, dao 道) in all phenomena of the world, was to be realized by achieving perfect knowledge (zhi zhi 致知). This perfect understanding of the universe would allow to accomplish sincerity in the intentions (cheng yi 誠意), rectify one's heart (zheng xin 正心), cultivating oneself (xiu shen 修身), bringing families into unison (qi jia 齊家), bringing order to the state (zhi guo 治國), and peace to the world (ping tianxia 平天下). The book is thus divided into six parts or "investigations" (ge 格). It quotes from older Confucian writings, but also from official Ming-period communication from the sovereign’s side as well as that of the ministers (yuzhi 諭制). Each statement is commented on by the author.

The range of topics is very comprehensive, but focuses on a handful of important recommendations for the sovereign, but also for commoners. Such are "raise your ideals and rectify your mind" (li zhi zheng xin 立志正心), "be reverent to Heaven and respect the people" (jing tian wei min 敬天畏民), "establish education and let flourish positive transformation" (li jiao xing hua 立教興化), "select the worthy ones and appoint competent persons" (xuan xian ren neng 選賢任能) or "restrain luxury and reduce taxes" (yi mo bo fu 抑末薄賦). A precondition for "raising one's ideals" was to recognize the Heavenly principle (tianli 天理) in all objects of the world, but particularly in one's own heart, where it was firmly embedded. However, physical substance (qi 氣) or habits (xi 習) could suppress and hide it. The Heavenly principle could be discovered by directing one's mind to diligent studies (zhi yu xue ji zhi yu dao 志于學即志于道).

To some extent, the Gewutong can be called a kind of enyclopaedia of Neo-Confucian thought because it covers so many different topics and quotes from the whole range of Neo-Confucian writings, without, however, taking side with one of the different schools.

The text can be found in the imperial series Siku quanshu 四庫全書.