2. ‘Analogical Extension’ (leitui) in Zhu Xi’s Methodology of ‘Investigation of Things’ (gewu) and ‘Extension of Knowledge’ (zhizhi)

Abstract

This chapter takes up the example of Zhu Xi, the author of the 'neo-Confucian synthesis' that dominated Chinese learning for centuries, and examines what he thought about the method of 'analogical extension'. And while doing so, it tries to put Zhu Xi's ideas about the method in the context of his theories of investigation of things' and 'extension of knowledge'. In particular, the chapter shows that the method of 'analogical extension', by making it possible to extend knowledge of one thing to that of other things, played a key role in the Zhu Xi's efforts of 'investigation of things' and 'extension of knowledge', the ultimate purpose of which was to achieve a 'thorough penetration'. It begins by recapping some relevant aspects of Zhu Xi's thought about li and 'investigation of things'. Li, the target of Zhu Xi's endeavor of 'investigation of things', had a variety of characteristics.Keywords: analogical extension; Chinese learning; extension of knowledge; investigation of things; neo-Confucian synthesis; Zhu Xi