本文探究《禮記》之思想系統，以利呈顯《禮記》所持載中華文化之精神價值，期能藉由經典思想的深入開發，參與當代儒學研究，並開顯其現代意義。 首先依據王船山及唐君毅有關《禮記》之獨特見解，以繼承先聖「復性以立人極」的崇高理想，揭出《禮記》全書四十九篇的思想核心為〈大學〉、〈中庸〉、〈禮運〉、〈樂記〉四文，作為研究全書之基礎。 其次，依據當代新儒家有關〈中庸〉道德形上學之講論，作為研究《禮記》思想之立論根基；並參酌近人禮學及哲學史著作之相關研究成果，予以證成《禮記》思想系統研究之必要。俾使儒家學說中發揚歷史文化，通貫天人內外，本末終始，體用兼備之弘闊格局，得以充分開展。 其三，則將《禮記》思想內容予以系統性之開展叙論，先綜說全書核心篇章，一是〈大學〉與〈中庸〉內聖外王之道德哲學，二是〈禮運〉之論人情及禮義之實踐，三是闡發〈樂記〉禮樂合德之文化整體觀。 其四，依思想文化之三個面向，即體達用地予以暢釋，一是宗教祭祀觀及宇宙論，二是以民為本及重德的政治思想，三是政教關係及教育措施等；俾對《禮記》全書之思想系統，有一較為全面之掌握。 其五，抉發《禮記》思想在生命實踐上之具體作為，上承孔孟儒學及中華文化悠久傳統，一者透過道德主體之自覺修養實踐，而建立健全人格。二者在五倫關係中參酌傳統禮樂文化中之生活智慧，尋找自我定位之可能。

The author analyzes the idea system of "Li Ji" in this article. The purpose of this article is to explore the whole 49 chapters of "Li Ji" by philosophical analysis, and to construct the system of this great book to readers. The author completes the work based on the interpretation of Wang Fi-Ji and Tang Jiun-I, and also on other important documents. The first dimension is to make organic connections among the 49 chapters, especially based on four core chapters: 'Da-Shiue', 'Jung-Iung', 'Li- Iun', and 'Iue-Ji'. The second dimension is exploring the moral ontology in 'Jung-Iung', based on the theory of contemporary Neo-Confucianism. And for the third dimension, the author describes the moral philosophy in Chapter 'Da-Shiue', and 'Jung-Iung', the moral sentiments and practice in Chapter 'Li- Iun', an the cultural views in Chapter 'Iue-Ji'. As to the fourth dimension, the author interprets the context of religion, cosmology, politics, and education theories in this canon. At last, the author points out the inner reflections in character education and the outer ethical relationships in moral life and the cultural wisdom inspired from "Li Ji".