대한제국기 신채호의 ‘아(我)’ 개념의 재검토

Abstract

“I” is central to Shin Chaeho’s view of history：his most well-knownaphorism is that history records the struggle between “I” and “non-I”. Butfew studies have reflected on what the historical concept of “I” actuallymeans in his writings. His work has been generally reviewed withideological approaches to nationalism or post-nationalism. Thus, this paperre-examines the concept of “I” in his historical writings, using a referenceframework based on conceptual history. For this purpose, three strategies are employed. First, the concept of “I” inthe introduction to his famous work Joseonsanggosa (The Ancient Historyof Korea) is placed in the context of the discourses of “I” and “society” which occur in the newspaper Daehanmaeilshinbo (Korea Daily News). Second, “I” and “non-I”, and the struggle between them, as found in theabove introduction, is also identified in his earlier writings, for example, hisbiographies of Euljimundeok, Choi Yeong and Yi Sunshin, and his study onthe ancient history of Korea, Doksashinron. And third, the concept of “I” isalso examined in the semantic network of terms relating to “I” in these fourhistorical works. Through this analysis, three conclusions were reached. 1) The formationof Shin Chaeho’s problematic concept of “I” was closely connected withthe changing concepts of “society”, as represented in Daehanmaeilshinbo . 2) The opposing concepts of “independence” and “meanness” prompted theconceptual realization of “I” and “non-I” in his historical writings. 3) Most ofhis compound terms with “I” comprised six internal serials, involving“country”, “nation”, “history”, “man”, “battle”, and “name or title”, which heused to promote his historical narrative.