Stephanie Lapratt
March 26, 2018
UNIV-3581
SQ 2B
1. Read first The Great Learning. What specifically are the 8 wires, or 8 steps, to
achieving great learning? Summarize them in your own words.
– The 8 wires or 8 steps of achieving great learning as I understood them as follows. The first and
second step seem similar to me, it’s about gaining knowledge and insight to things or people.
The third step is being sincere, showing people that you care and/or can care for them or other
things. The fourth step I believe is having a good heart. Making sure your heart is in the right
place. The fifth step is having your own self. Maybe making sure you know your own true value.
The sixth step is family. The seventh step is what I believe government, he talks a lot about
governing ones family. So family is extremely important. The last step is being a ruler of the
states, maybe meaning that if you are to follow all of these steps you will be the ruler for the
people.
2. What does The Great Learning propose in order to achieve a well-run, harmonious
state, or country?
– In order for one to achieve a well-run, harmonious state or country they first must be a good
person or a person with good qualities. He must complete certain lessons which I believe the
lessons or steps is the 8 wires. This person must not go beyond his family. Which I think means
not taking time away from family to be a ruler. They must also be careful, which I think means
that whatever they put out will come back kind of thing.
5. For Wang, what is meant by “investigation of things”? (and what is not meant?)