The Eight Steps are the eight detailed items of Sankoryo, consisting of investigation of things ('kakubutsu'), extension of knowledge ('chichi'), sincerity of the will ('seii'), rectification of the mind ('seishin'), cultivation of personal life ('shushin'), regulation of family ('seika'), national order ('chikoku') and world peace ('heitenka').
八条目とは三綱領の細目で「格物」・「致知」・「誠意」・「正心」・「修身」・「斉家」・「治国」・「平天下」の八つである。