Unity of knowing and doing

Unity of knowing and doing

This phrase implies the close relationship between what one knows and what one does. "Knowing" refers to one's perception of the objects, and "doing" refers to one's actual deeds.

The unity of knowing and doing does not mean that knowing is doing and knowing can replace doing, or vice versa. It actually means that one should understand things correctly and act accordingly. Knowing is the premise, while doing is putting knowledge to work. The relationship between the two is an ancient Chinese philosophical topic. It is believed that one's conduct is controlled by one's conscience, and one will act properly on one's own initiative only if the true purpose is to do good.

Xi Jinping has emphasized the unity of knowing and doing on a number of occasions. He demands that officials and members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) strengthen their theoretical study and lead others in this respect, and apply their knowledge in concrete actions.

Addressing a training program for young officials at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) opened in March 2019, he said: Party officials, especially younger ones like you, should have a thorough understanding and good command of theories and strengthen your ideals and convictions through study. You should remain true to the Party's original aspiration and founding mission as Party members, apply what you have learned in your work, acquire further knowledge through practice, and improve yourselves through self-reflection.

知行合一

知行合一，意指认识事物的道理与实行其事是密不可分的。知是指内心的觉知，对事物的认识；行是指人的实际行动。知与行的合一，既不是以知来合并行，认为知便是行，也不是以行来合并知，认为行便是知，而是内有良知则外有良行，知是基础、是前提，行是重点、是关键。知行合一是中国古代哲学中认识论和实践论的命题，主张人的外在行为是受内在意识支配，认为只有由衷向善做到“知”的人，才有外在自发的善“行”。

中共十八大以来，习近平多次强调“知行合一”，要求党员干部既要加强理论学习，走在前列；又要结合实践，干在实处。2019年3月，习近平在中央党校（国家行政学院）中青年干部培训班发表重要讲话时指出，广大干部特别是年轻干部要在常学常新中加强理论修养，在真学真信中坚定理想信念，在学思践悟中牢记初心使命，在细照笃行中不断修炼自我，在知行合一中主动担当作为。