Study in Quest of Principles
This concept, first proposed by the ancient philosopher Cheng Yi (1033-1107) and developed by Zhu Xi (1130-1200), originally exhorted people to study things to acquire principles. Later, it was used to describe inquiry of the principles of things.
As a way of thinking, it discusses the relationship between knowledge and application. All things have their own nature and law of development. Only through thorough inquiry of their nature and law can one make good use of them to achieve specific goals. Just like the natural sciences of the modern times, it stresses the importance of seeking truth from facts. The idea offers a basic approach to work and life, and its inheritance and development have effectively promoted progress in science and technology.
格物究理
格物究理由北宋哲學家程頤（1033—1107）提出，南宋哲學家朱熹（1130—1200）繼承發展，意為考察事物， 探究事物的道理，后用來表示考察研究事物的規律。
格物究理作為一種思想方法，探討了認識與實踐的關系問題。任何事物都有其固有性質和發展規律，要對相關事物進行詳細的調查研究，真正了解其性質和規律，才能加以合理利用從而達到目的。格物究理講求實事求是，與現代自然科學的精神具有相通之處，它的繼承和發展有力促進了科學技術的發展，成為人們生產生活實踐中都應遵循的基本方法。
