In this learning system, the thought of unification of an individual and the society was advocated, that is the self and the society, and the self and the universe were tied together by 'Li' as universal principles (Chinese philosophical theory in which it is believed that the universe and one are connected through his reason), and that the maintenance of social order (governing people) could be achieved through understanding of 'Li' through self-discipline.
そこでは、自己と社会、自己と宇宙は、理という普遍的原理を通して結ばれており（理一分殊）、自己修養（修己）による理の把握から社会秩序の維持（治人）に到ることができるとする、個人と社会を統合する思想を提唱した。