王廷相是明代重要的哲學家之一,他以元氣作為本體來建構其哲學體系,並且對宋代以來的主流觀點提出了批評。其中,對於理生氣說與性善論的批評,更是王廷相哲學論述的關注焦點,因此透過對這兩個議題的討論,將能夠簡要地掌握其哲學的核心樣貌。此外,因為王廷相在上述的議題中,主要的批評對象為朱子,因此以朱子的哲學作為參照將可以看出彼此之問的差異。經過以上的論述,可以發現王廷相的哲學思路相當的一貫,因此能自成一家之言,但其所批評的對象其實也自有一套哲學體系。換句話說,對於同樣的議題,朱子和王廷相一樣,都能站在各自的立場提出合理的回應,兩者的解釋各有其理論效力,彼此的差異可以視為兩種不同的哲學觀,但卻不宜以某一方為標準而揚此抑彼。
Wang Tingxiang was an important philosopher in the Ming Dynasty. He took Yuan-qi as substance to establish his philosophic system, and criticized the dominant views of the Song Dynasty. His criticisms of Li-Sheng-Qi-Shuo and Xing-Shan-Lun are the focus of his philosophic discussion, therefore we can grasp his philosophic core through the discussion of these two questions. Furthermore, because his critical object is Zhuzi, referring to Zhuzi's philosophy can show the difference between them. After the discussion, we will find that his philosophy is quite consistent, so he can form his theory. But his critical object also has his own philosophy. In other words, for the same questions, both Zhuzi and Wang Tingxiang can present respective and reasonable interpretations. Their differences are different philosophies, but we can't take one's as the standard to belittle another.