noun
study of natural laws; investigation of principles
Refers to the systematic pursuit of underlying principles, especially in natural philosophy or science. A somewhat formal, academic term.
江戸時代の学者は、自然現象の窮理に励んだ。
Scholars in the Edo period devoted themselves to the study of natural laws.
noun
neo-Confucian investigation of principle
Specifically denotes a branch of neo-Confucian scholarship that seeks to understand the underlying principle (理) of things through exhaustive inquiry. Historical and philosophical term.
朱子学では、窮理は重要な修行の一つとされた。
In Zhu Xi's school of neo-Confucianism, the investigation of principle was considered an important practice.
理学 is a broader term for 'science' or 'physical science' in modern usage, while 窮理 is more historical and philosophical, focusing on the pursuit of fundamental principles.
格物 is a related neo-Confucian concept meaning 'investigation of things', often paired with 窮理 (格物窮理). 窮理 emphasizes the exhaustive inquiry into principle.
From Chinese 窮理 (qiónglǐ), literally 'to exhaustively investigate principle'. The term was adopted into Japanese scholarship, particularly within neo-Confucian contexts.