格物致知
gé​wù​zhì​zhī

to seek knowledge through the study of things

  1. 格物 gé​wù
    to study phenomena
    To investigate the principles and laws of things; to gain knowledge by exploring the physical world
  2. 致知 zhì​zhī
    to acquire knowledge
    (literary) to pursue or extend one's knowledge to the utmost; to attain wisdom through the study of things. This concept from the "Great Learning" is often paired with 格物 gé​wù to describe the process of investigating the world to gain understanding.