Wang Shouren (Wang Yangming)

Wang Shouren, also known as Wang Yangming, was a Chinese philosopher and statesman of the Ming Dynasty. He developed a moral philosophy emphasizing that knowledge and action are interconnected. According to him, inner moral intuition—our innate sense of right and wrong—is accessible to everyone and should guide actions. His idea, known as the "unity of knowledge and action," encourages individuals to cultivate virtue through self-awareness and moral practice. Wang's teachings have influenced East Asian thought, emphasizing that moral understanding is rooted in inner reflection and must be actively expressed through ethical behavior.