이 논문은 東史에 나타나는 李種徽의 自國史 인식을 근본적으로 재검토하고, 그 핵심을 이루는 小中華主義의 실체와 그 의의를 파악하는 데 목적을 두고 있다. 이종휘의 동사는 正統論과 華夷論에 입각하여 자국사를 서술한 역사서로서, 조선이 중국 문화의 전통을 계승한 소중화라는 주장을 펼치고, 그 순수성의 유지를 강조하기 위한 목적에서 편찬되었다. 이처럼 동사는 이종휘 자신의 역사와 현실에 대한 이념을 드러낸다는 점에서 관념적인 역사 인식의 산물이다. 그러나 이종휘의 역사 인식은 그의 현실 인식과 밀접한 관련을 맺고 있으며, 자국사에 대한 그의 관심은 궁극적으로 당시 조선의 현실을 향한 것이었다. 이종휘는 이념적으로는 더욱 엄격한 정통론과 화이론을 견지함으로써 조선의 정체성을 확립하고, 아울러 대명의리에 대한 회의로 야기되는 명분의 약화를 상쇄하고자 하였던 것으로 보인다. 이종휘의 자국사 인식은 문명사적 관점에서 중국 중심의 세계 질서를 조망하고, 여기에 동참하기를 주장하는 적극적인 자세를 보였다는 점에서 의의를 찾을 수 있다.

In this dissertation, Yi Chonghui's awareness of the country's history and self-consciousness of small China and its essence and meaning are investigated via Tongsa. Yi Chonghui's Tongsa describes Chosŏn's history from the standpoint of legitimism and the discrimination between the 'Civilized ones' and the 'Babarians'. Yi Chonghui maintained that Chosŏn was a small China succeeding to the tradition of Chinese culture and compiled the book for the purpose of keeping the idea. Tongsa was a product of ideological recognition of history in that it represented Yi Chonghui's own idea of history and reality. Yi Chonghui's consciousness of history was closely related with his consciousness of reality, and his interest in Chosŏn's history was reflection of his interest in Chosŏn's reality. And Yi Chonghui tried to establish the identity of Chosŏn and make up for moral justification caused from doubt of loyalty to the Ming dynasty by firmly maintaining legitimism and the discrimination between the 'Civilized ones' and the 'Babarians.' The meaning of Yi Chonghui's work can be found in his viewing the China-centered world from the standpoint of history of civilization and actively maintaining acceptance of the idea of the China-centered world.

In this dissertation, Yi Chonghui's awareness of the country's history and self-consciousness of small China and its essence and meaning are investigated via Tongsa. Yi Chonghui's Tongsa describes Chosŏn's history from the standpoint of legitimism and the discrimination between the 'Civilized ones' and the 'Babarians'. Yi Chonghui maintained that Chosŏn was a small China succeeding to the tradition of Chinese culture and compiled the book for the purpose of keeping the idea. Tongsa was a product of ideological recognition of history in that it represented Yi Chonghui's own idea of history and reality. Yi Chonghui's consciousness of history was closely related with his consciousness of reality, and his interest in Chosŏn's history was reflection of his interest in Chosŏn's reality. And Yi Chonghui tried to establish the identity of Chosŏn and make up for moral justification caused from doubt of loyalty to the Ming dynasty by firmly maintaining legitimism and the discrimination between the 'Civilized ones' and the 'Babarians.' The meaning of Yi Chonghui's work can be found in his viewing the China-centered world from the standpoint of history of civilization and actively maintaining acceptance of the idea of the China-centered world.

Yi Chonghui, Tongsa, legitimism, discrimination between the Civilized ones and the Babarians