Abstract: Gu Yanwu has not only made a great contribution to the development of philosophy and history theory, but also had very important opinions concerning the moral philosophy. Gu Yanwu’s ethical theory aims at the practical use and value of morality, which focuses on improving the individual’s morality so that it can promote the social development. It has great enlightenment value to the improvement of the effectiveness of the lessons of ideological and political education. Gu Yanwu’s ethical theory has a significant dimension of valuing the practical side of learning, stressing the importance of cultivating oneself and helping others. At the same time, Gu Yanwu emphasizes the significance of learning to be a whole person, which includes many profound elements of the ideological and political education. Therefore, through a creative process of transforming, Gu Yanwu’s ethical theory can provide beneficial inspirations to the educational practice of modern ideological and political education.