胡瑗及其湖學為宋學樹立了某種典範。現存《洪範口義》是其政治哲學的代表作，以時代問題為導向，聚焦於義理闡發，表徵了他對漢唐經學的突破。胡瑗的經學通過他的教學法獲得有效呈現，他的教學法也因此具有高度的思想內涵，湖學由地方升入中央，使地方性經驗成為國家的普遍理念與行動。但隨著國家思想形態與教育內容因政治力量的介入而發生替代時，不僅湖學衰落，而且存於地方的思想多樣性也消失。這一現象對此後理學家們重振儒學的方向有所警發。

Hu Yuan and the Huzhou School he started set an example for Song studies. The extant work Hongfan Kouyi was his magnum opus in political philosophy. The book focuses on solving issues of that specific time and elucidating Confucianism, representing breakthroughs he made from the studies of Confucian classics in Han and Tang dynasties. His study of Confucian classics was effectively presented through his pedagogy, and the latter therefore acquired deep ideological connotation. Later on, the principles of the Huzhou School were elevated from local to central government which meant that the regional experience was made universal and put into practice. Nevertheless, as the existing national ideology and education were replaced because of the intervention of political power, the Huzhou School started to decline, and the thought diversity in local areas disappeared. This warned and also inspired the following Neo-Confucians in revitalizing Confucianism.