The Role of Intuition in Ethics: A Comparative Study of Wáng Yángmíng and William David Ross

This study compares the ethical philosophies of Wáng Yángmíng and William David Ross to understand how moral intuition works in different traditions. Wáng Yángmíng’s xīnxué (the learning of heart-mind) focuses on liángzhī (conscience) and zhī xíng hé yī (the unity of knowledge and action), while Ross’s deontological ethics is based on “prima facie” duties and intuitive moral judgment. Although they lived in different times and cultures, both thinkers believed that true moral knowledge comes from within and must guide real-life actions. The problem addressed in this article is the lack of direct comparison between these two influential philosophers, especially regarding how moral intuition leads to ethical practice. The aim is to explore their similarities and differences to offer new insights into ethics today. This research uses a comparative philosophical method to analyze four key areas: (a) historical and cultural background, (b) development of moral theories of the time, (c) the role of moral intuition and judgment, and (d) the relation between knowledge and action. The study finds that while Wáng Yángmíng emphasizes inner self-cultivation and the inseparability of knowledge and action, Ross stresses rational reflection on intuitive duties. It finds that both philosophies connect moral knowledge with action, though through different frameworks—Wáng Yángmíng through self-cultivation and Ross through duty balancing. This article suggests that combining their approaches can help modern thinkers find a more holistic way to handle moral challenges. This comparison provides new insights into contemporary ethics by encouraging dialogue between Eastern and Western perspectives and promoting a more integrated view of moral reasoning that respects both intuition and rational reflection.