一直以來對陳確思想之定位，學界有著不同意見：有的主張陳確近於氣學，是清代氣本論思想的先驅；有的則主張陳確思想仍屬宋明理學之範疇。本文由陳確論體用、心性，以及如何達成性善等思想文字入手，發現陳確主張以性為體，氣、情、才為性之良能，並認為性體本就至善、不能增減，但須透過良能才完全呈現。故陳確重視立志、知過、改過等盡性、正心之工夫，包括「人欲即天理」等主張，其核心思維都在回歸整全、至善之性體。若與清代氣學之代表人物－戴震相較，可以發現從由氣論性、德性可以增加，到重視心知之智的積累與發展，如何達情遂欲等思想，皆和陳確所言有所不同，甚至截然相反。故本文認為陳確和戴震氣學仍有差異，並非典型的氣學思想。

Academics are hard to reach a consensus on Chen Que's theory, which is a part of Neo-Confucianism, or a part of Qi theory. This thesis would like to discover the consistent context in Chen Que's philosophy. For example, Chen Que has emphasized the human nature as ontology, and qi, emotion and tendency as utility. The human nature is completely good, but has been needed to demonstrate entirely by those utilities. Therefore Chen Que had paid more attention to the theories of self-cultivation, which were focused on how to return the completely good human nature. This thesis also has discovered Dai Zhen who had placed greater emphasis on the thinking ability of heart, and paid more attention to expansion and developing of virtue.