In the fourth year of Zheng De in Ming Dynasty (1509), Wang Shouren, a psychologist, gave a lecture at Guiyang Institute of Civilization, and put forward the theory of the unity of knowledge and action for the first time.

In the fourth year of Jiajing (1525), Yangming Academy was founded in Shaoxing, and disciples began to give lectures and spread the theory of unity of knowledge and action. In the same year, the original wife died, continued to marry Zhang, and had a son the following year. In September of the sixth year of Jiajing (1527), on the eve of the rebellion in Guangxi, he carefully studied four teaching methods in Tianquan Bridge: no good disgusting body and good malicious actions. Knowing good and evil is a conscience, and doing good and evil is a matter.

Extended data:

Put forward the background

After Wang Yangming was enlightened in Longchang Town, xiuwen county, north of Guiyang, he deeply realized the truth of life, which was an epiphany after hard thinking. Wang Yangming believes that mentality determines behavior and world outlook, such as the story of Liezi's "suspicious neighbor stealing axe". From then on, he parted ways with Zhu Xuexue, which laid the foundation for the great success of the system of psychology.

Wang Shouren's theory of the unity of knowing and doing is mainly aimed at Zhu's study, which is contrary to Zhu's thought. Oppose Zhu Cheng's Neo-Confucianism's theory of "dichotomy of knowing and doing, thinking that you must be a prophet and then you can do it" and the resulting style of study of "valuing knowledge but neglecting action". Zhu Cheng Neo-Confucianism, including Lu Jiuyuan, advocates "knowing after the prophet", divides knowledge into two parts, and holds that knowledge must be known before it can be practiced.

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia-Unity of Knowledge and Practice