noun
gaining perfect knowledge of natural laws; investigating things to acquire knowledge
A yojijukugo derived from Neo-Confucian philosophy, referring to the process of studying the principles of things to attain true understanding. Rare in everyday conversation; mainly encountered in classical or philosophical contexts.
朱子学では、格物致知が修養の基本とされる。
In Zhu Xi's school of thought, investigating things to acquire knowledge is considered the foundation of self-cultivation.
From the Chinese 格物致知 (géwù zhìzhī), a key concept in Neo-Confucianism, especially in the teachings of Zhu Xi. The phrase appears in the Great Learning (大学).