本文以「基本結構分析法」解構「大學」一書的思想脈絡。指出該書是在系統性地表達儒家德治思想的內容與實踐步驟：基本上是由「明明德」的內在德智培養以至於「止於至善」的外在事功成就。明明德即修身，實際方法及步驟為格物→致知→誠意→正心→修身；止於至善即明明德於天下，實際方法及步驟為則明明德→齊家→治國→平天下。明明德的內在德智培養是任何人都應行且能行的事，而止於至善的外在事功成就則需要透過位勢──位勢的高低影響外在事功的大小。無內在修養不足以成就外在事功；然單有內在修養而無位勢，亦無外在事功可言。

　　　　　 This paper tries to undo the thread of thought in the Great Learning by the method of basic structure analysis. The aim is to point out that the (Great learning systematically expresses the content of the Confucian thought of rule of virtue and of the steps of practice. Basically it begins by the cultivation of the inner moral wisdom, i.e. 'manifesting the clear character, and ends in the outer accomplishment, i.e. 'abiding in the highest good. Manifesting the clear character means self-cultivation, the practical method and steps are: the investigation of things → making will sincere → rectifying the mind → cultivating oneself; abiding in the highest good means to express one's clear character to the world, the practical method and steps are: manifesting the clear character → regulating the family→ bringing order to the state → peace throughout of the world. Everyone should be and is able to cultivate their inner moral wisdom, manifesting their clear character, and their outer accomplishment, abiding in the highest good, depends upon their social positions－one's higher or lower rank of social position affects the great or small outer accomplishment one can achieve. Outer accomplishment cannot be achieved without the inner cultivation, but merely having the inner cultivation without a higher rank of social position, there could be no outer accomplishment.