出處는 儒學에서 선비들에게 요구한 중요한 덕목이며, 많은 유학자들이 실천하기 위해 노력했다. 대표적으로 남명 조식은 출처를 君子의 큰 절조로 보았으며, 평생 ‘處士’로 실천했다. 그런데 문제는 조정의 계속된 출사요구를 거부한 남명을 퇴계와 같은 당대의 유학자들은 부정적으로 보아 그 의미를 축소하거나, 학문적 體認의 결과가 아닌 개인적 기질의 결과로 이해하기도 했다는 점이다. 그리고 긍정적으로 평가하는 경우에도 ‘기절’이나 ‘기상’, ‘절개’등 개인적 차원의 의미만을 강조하여, ‘정치를 외면하지 않았다’며 정치적 의미에 대해선 소극적으로 해석하는 경향이 있다. 이 연구는 이러한 문제의식에서 남명의 처사적 삶과 사상을 보다 적극적으로 이해하기 위한 것이다. 이를 위하여 남명의 ‘처’ 즉 ‘물러남’이 가지는 국가권력과의 ‘거리감’에 주목한다. 유학은 현실정치를 긍정하여 ‘나아가감(出)’을 강조했지만, ‘處-물러남’ 또한 강조했다. 이러한 ‘처’는 유학자들이 현실의 정치권력과 적절한 거리를 둠으로써 견제와 긴장을 만들어낸 요소이기도 했다. 남명은 이러한 ‘물러남의 정치학’을 잘 이해했으며, 그의 출처사상과 처사로서의 삶에 고스란히 담겨있다. 그래서 남명의 處는 개인적 기절의 결과로서가 아니라 국가권력에 대한 ‘경계’와 ‘비판’ ‘저항’의 의미를 갖고 있었다. 나아가 ‘폭력적 국가권력’을 ‘공공의 국가권력’으로 변화 시키려는 문제제기도 담고 있었다. ‘나아갈 줄만 알고 물러날 줄 모른다’는 당대 지식인들에 대한 남명의 비판과 그가 실천한 ‘물러남의 정치학’은 현대의 정치현실에 있어서도 부당한 권력을 비판하고 거부하는 정신으로 계승될 수 있으며, 나아가 권력의 성격을 보다 공적인 것으로 만들어나가 현대의 민주주의 발전에도 도움 될 수 있을 것이다.

This thesis deals with comparing and observing 『Shim Kyoung』 which Donggo wrote to Nammyoung for a present as well as the books written by Nammyoung and Donggo, their growing background and learning, their positions as government officers, and 「Moojinbongsa」 and 「Byounginbongsa」, letters having written to show respect to the King There are more records about Nammyung in 『Donggoyugo』 than in 『Nammyoungjib』. However, I am aware of the fact that the two books have almost the same content in them. 「Nammyoungshimkyoungbal」 has exactly the same content as 『Donggoyugo』. According to the comparition of these two books, I found that Donggo had sent the medicine material, calenda, 『Shimkyoung』, and other things to Nammyoung. Then Nammyoung sent appreciation letters to Donggo. In 『Shimkyoung』, Donggo suggested to Nammyoung that he became a government officer, but Nammyoung was only interested in morality. Donggo sent his son to Deoksan to grieve Nammyoung's death. They had the different pedigrees. Nammyoung's forefathers, who live in Huubcheon, didn't have any big government ranks. However, Donggo's forefathers had high government ranks. In their backgrounds some things are the same and some things are different. The things that were different were that Nammyoung was born in a rural area and his father died when he was 6 years old, but Donggo was born in Seoul and his father died when he was 26 years old. The things they had in common were that they all struggled economically, their mothers were all very clever, and they were not the eldest sons in their families. As they had different pedigrees, in the end Nammyoung became a scholar and Donggo became responsible for the national property. When Nammyoung was studying, I suppose that he was taught about learning from his father. However, Donggo learned about it from Lee, Yeonkyoung and Mr. Thansoo. When they were staying in Hyubcheon and Sangju, I suppose that they went to Hwang, Hyoheon to study, Nammyoung didn't go to school but Donggo went to school. Nammyoung changed his career objectives due to failing the exam to be a government officer, but Donggo started the job as a government officer because he passed it. Nammyoung's highest rank in his life was only Hyunkam, but Donggo was Youngeujung. However, Nammyoung was appointed to a high position by the King. In 「Moojinbongsa」written by Nammyoung, he insisted on 'Respect', which is the important item of his consideration. It is the same that in 「Byounginbongsa」Donggo insisted on 'Harmony' which is an important item of his consideration. In 「Moojinbongsa」, he made clear the troubles of the government officers and suggested to the King that he treat all the problems of the government very strictly. In 「Byounginbongsa」, Donggo insisted harmony and advised that they have to prepare the following King through logic which to choose the talented men. I am aware that both of them did their best with their position at that time. When Doggo was 33 years old, he presented 『Shimkyoung』to Nammyoung. When Donggo gave that. I supposed that he transmitted Nammyoung 'Su-ki-chi-in'(to control themselves by learning) of the important spirit of Confucianism. Nammyoung decided to himself that he would try to study harder when he received the book. Both of them had lived differently but they always cared for their people. The fact Donggo gave a present, 『Shimkyoung』 to Nammyoung. After much consideration, study and hearing from our country's political leaders, I have become aware that there is now more study and consideration being given to our country.