조선시대 중화세계관의 궤적 －배우성,『조선과 중화』(돌베개, 2014) 서평－

Abstract

This article summarizes the contents of 『The Path of Sinocentrism in Joseon Dynasty(조선과 중화)』(Dolbegae, 2014) written by Prof. Baeo Woo Sung suggesting some issues. The author, focusing on perception of geography by text-comparing method, tried to inquire the true nature of Sinocentrism in Joseon dynasty. In reality, Joseon surrendered to the Qing’s military force but intellectuals of Joseon considered themselves were the only people conserving Sinocentric Culture. Those thoughts appeared well in geography books and maps. Joseon was away from China, so the fact should be managed before calling itself the successor of Sinocentrism. Song Si Yeol, referring cultural sinocentrism, told that Joseon tried best to overcome geographic limitations to achieve sinocentric culture. However, Hong Dae Yong claimed that China and the Outlander could not be considered one since they were geographically remote. To resolve the issues, some intellectuals thought that the natural environment of Joseon and China was equal. As the international order changes, the interests about the geography of Manchurian region have become high and the information from them was used to confirm the geography of northern part of Joseon and the other side of the Tumen river and the Yalu river and correct the wrong information. The Sinocentrism had not changed much even the western style world map showing the Earth is round came in. Cheonhado(the map of the whole world) which shows the sea next to central continent and the sea again was still popular. Joseon’s intellectuals who defected to Manchuria as Korean Empire was merged to Japan thought that Confucian Orient should be set up including Japan in premise of its self-examination to preserve the Sinocentric World. This book arranged the path of Sinocentrism in Joseon time, so it means important. However, it lacks crucial reason why the tendentious-justification- centered china centric view was organized. Also, though it emphasized cultural parts of Sinocentrism much, detailed substances are obscure. Therefore, geography, natural characteristics, the vein and the historical effort are just evidences of a possibility that Joseon might be the country of sinocentric culture, but it doesn’t mean it should have been. It has been unapproached but important work to track down how the intellectuals considered sinocentrism and what their perspectives were at the end of Joseon dynasty. The author seems to have started this hard work and almost reached the truth. However, it should be more obvious what the meaning is, how the truth should be interpreted and what prospect we need based on that.