陸象山心學源自孟子，孟子從心性論層面論仁，陸象山進一步從「心即理」哲學高度論仁。理作為客觀精神可以遊離人而獨立存在，「心」的本質內涵是「良心正理」，以仁義為本質規定。心既合乎理性規定，又滲入情感認同。仁義既是人之所以為人的德性，又是全人類的先在性自然權利。緣此，人因而有責任「自作主宰」、「收拾精神」，挺立道德主體，彰顯自由意志，在經驗世界中完全呈現德性本質，實現自然權利。陸象山對「四君子湯」、「疑罪從無」、「湯武革命」等等論述，充分表明陸象山哲學既有「尊德性」意義上的心性論根基，又蘊含深厚的社會人文關懷。挺立德性主體，煥發自由意志，讓自由權利在社會領域充分實現，仁學的本質就是自由。

Lu Xiangshan’s mind philosophy originated from Mencius, Mencius discussed “Ren” from the perspective of mind-nature theory, and Lu Xiangshan further discusse “Ren” from the perspective of “mind is Li”. “Li” as an objective spirit can exist independently, The essential connotation of “mind” is “conscience correct Li”, which is based on benevolence. The mind conforms the requirements of reason and emotional identity. “Ren-Yi” is not only the virtue of human, but also the natural right of all human beings. Because of this, human have the responsibility to “self-mastery”, “readjust the spirit”, stand up the morality、manifest free will and present virtue in empirical world to realize natural rights. Lu Xiangshan’s expositions on “four gentlemen decoction”, “innocent until proved guilty”, “Tang-Wu revolution” fully demonstrate that Lu Xiangshan’s philosophy has both the foundation of mind nature in the sense of “respect morality” and profound social and humanistic concern. Stand up for the moral subject, radiate free will, and free rights fully realized in the social field. The essence of “Ren” is freedom.