동강 김우옹은 남명 조식의 수제자로서 조선중기 남명학파의 저명한 학자이다. 김우옹의 학문은 스승인 조식의 영향 아래에서 형성되었다. 그러나 그 근원을 찾아보면, 보다 더 직접적으로 주자의 영향권 아래 있다. 주자와 김우옹의 정치론과 학문론을 비교해 본 결과, 이 두 학자의 영향 관계는 매우 직접적임을 알 수 있었다. 이들의 정치론을 살펴보면, 군주론에서는 군주의 정치적 역량보다 군주의 마음을 가장 중시하였고, 신권론에서는 나라를 경영하는 주체로서 신하의 권한을 옹호하고 있으며, 붕당론에서는 군자와 소인을 엄격하게 구분할 것을 요구하고, 외세론에서는 시종일관 외세배격의 논리를 지녔다. 그리고 학문론에서는 주자학의 공통된 이념인 ‘性卽理’를 공유하였고, 敬과 실천을 매우 중시하였다. 또한 이들은 인격적 면에서도 매우 유사한 면모를 보여주고 있었다. 남명학을 두고 주자학이 아니라는 의견이 있기도 하지만, 적어도 김우옹의 삶과 사상을 살펴본 결과 김우옹을 위시한 남명학파는 철저히 주자학의 기반위에 서 있음을 확인할 수 있었다.

Dong-Gang, Kim, Woo-Ong (henceforth, Dong-Gang) was an eminent scholar of the school of Nam-Myung during the reign of Choseon Dynasty. He was one of the best disciples of Nam-Myung, Cho-Shik, under whose tutelage he was primarily responsible for establishing the Dong-Gang’ scholarship. A closer examination finds that the origin of his scholarship, however, is founded within neo-Confucianism. An analytical comparison of political philosophy and philosophy on studies between Chu Hsi and Dong-Gang shows that there is a close relationship between the two. They share common political philosophies which are as follows: In the theory on a ruler, both agree that the mind of a ruler is more important than his political capability. In the theory of the divine right of a ruler, both advocate the right of the subject as the main constituent of country’s governance. In the theory of a clique, both demand to strictly disassociate between a true gentleman and a small-minded person. In the theory of foreign influence, both reject foreign power as a controller of national governance. In terms of philosophy on studies, they share a common ideology of neo-Confucianism which is that seong, real nature (inherent quality) equals with principle, li. They also agree with critical importance of kyung, respect and action. There is a dispute about whether the school of Nam-Myung can be classified as one of neo-Confucian school. However, the analysis of this paper based on Dong-Gang’s life and philosophy finds that the school of Nam-Myung belongs to neo-Confucian school.

Dong-Gang, Kim, Woo-Ong (henceforth, Dong-Gang) was an eminent scholar of the school of Nam-Myung during the reign of Choseon Dynasty. He was one of the best disciples of Nam-Myung, Cho-Shik, under whose tutelage he was primarily responsible for establishing the Dong-Gang’ scholarship. A closer examination finds that the origin of his scholarship, however, is founded within neo-Confucianism. An analytical comparison of political philosophy and philosophy on studies between Chu Hsi and Dong-Gang shows that there is a close relationship between the two. They share common political philosophies which are as follows: In the theory on a ruler, both agree that the mind of a ruler is more important than his political capability. In the theory of the divine right of a ruler, both advocate the right of the subject as the main constituent of country’s governance. In the theory of a clique, both demand to strictly disassociate between a true gentleman and a small-minded person. In the theory of foreign influence, both reject foreign power as a controller of national governance. In terms of philosophy on studies, they share a common ideology of neo-Confucianism which is that seong, real nature (inherent quality) equals with principle, li. They also agree with critical importance of kyung, respect and action. There is a dispute about whether the school of Nam-Myung can be classified as one of neo-Confucian school. However, the analysis of this paper based on Dong-Gang’s life and philosophy finds that the school of Nam-Myung belongs to neo-Confucian school.

Neo-Confucianism, the emphasis on a ruler’s mind, Advocacy of the divine right of a ruler, advocacy of a clique, rejection of foreign power, the importance of kyung and action