An actual object should be assessed according to the name referring to it. Holding actualities according to its name was an important means for ancient Chinese to govern the state. In actual human relations concerning ethics and morality, every specific role or status had its name, which determined the character or responsibilities of that status. People with certain status had to be assessed on the basis of their status, and it was required that their actual words and actions corresponded to the character and responsibilities determined by the name of their status.

The way of governance is to bestow office according to responsibilities, who was required to carry out duties as was required by the name (i.e. the office), to exercise power over life and death, and examine and weigh officials with outstanding capabilities. (Hanfeizi)

To assess the actual thing or substance according to its name means to demand an actual standard. To determine the name of a thing or substance according to actualities is the standard for naming the name. (Dengxizi)