Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Consumer culture has started depleting not only our financial resources but also our psychological resources”

President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan met with professionals as part of the "Summit Psychology" event organized by Akansel Education Consultancy. During the online event, Tarhan gave a presentation titled “The Journey of Inner Exploration in Psychology.” Tarhan noted that modernity has adopted a consumption-driven philosophy of life. Highlighting the cycle of earning and consuming in consumer culture, Tarhan emphasized that consumerism is not only depleting financial resources but also draining our psychological resources and relationships.

“The rules of the bad object are lawlessness”

In the program, which attracted significant participation, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that lawlessness dominates the id. Tarhan made the following remarks:

“The bad object within us is referred to as the nafs in our belief system and as the id in psychoanalysis. The rules of the bad object are lawlessness. It recognizes only tangible pleasures. It says, ‘What feels good to me is good, and what does not feel good is bad.’ One says, ‘What benefits me is good, and what does not benefit me is bad.’ This defines its nature, and it works like nuclear energy within us. It is also called the id or instinct. In animals, it is called instinct, but in humans, it is referred to as the id, an inner drive. Dreams are a different realm of this. Fire and gunpowder do not coexist physically in the world, but they do in dreams. In dreams, good and bad coexist. Similarly, lawlessness exists within the id. Good and bad are all mixed together.”

“Self-actualization does not satisfy psychosocial needs”

Discussing Maslow's hierarchy of psychosocial needs, Tarhan stated that “Before his death, Maslow placed self-transcendence at the top of the hierarchy of psychosocial needs, replacing self-actualization. Previously, self-actualization was at the top, encompassing qualities like being virtuous, authentic, problem-solving, and unbiased traits of a self-actualized person. However, self-transcendence refers to surpassing oneself, prioritizing helping others above self-actualization. Neuroscience now asserts that ‘humans are relational beings.’ There is ongoing debate over whether the human mind is a quantum receiver in the universe. In this context, self-actualization no longer satisfies psychosocial needs. At the base of the hierarchy are physiological needs, such as food, drink, reproduction, shelter, and safety. Then needs such as love, being loved, security, and respect follow the physiological needs. It is time to revise the traditional definitions provided by classical psychology.”

“Modernity has also influenced psychology”

Tarhan noted that modernity has adopted a consumption-oriented philosophy of life:
“Humans are conscious beings, yet these conscious beings were mismanaging themselves. Psychology, without realizing it, had fallen under the influence of neoliberal policies, and now the negative consequences of this are becoming evident. Following the economic crash in the U.S. in 1929, neoliberal policies introduced regulations to capitalism. Rules were established, and capitalism grew under these regulations. However, as Ibn Khaldun said, ‘A society burdened with too many taxes and rules cannot prosper. If you want wealth, loosen the rules.’ This was done, and with the ease provided by the Cold War era, capitalism developed a consumption-based philosophy. Currently, modernity revolves around consumption. The cycle operates on ‘earn, consume.’ The more you consume, shop, display yourself, wear branded clothing, and focus on ‘me,’ the more consumption occur, and the capitalist system thrives. This capitalist system has altered life philosophy, and as a result of this transformation, society is now witnessing its negative outcomes.”

“Conscious awareness is recognizing existence”

Speaking about awareness and consciousness, Tarhan stated that “Conscious awareness is the recognition of existence. It involves perceiving abstract concepts and acting with purpose. According to quantum electrodynamics, consciousness is a subjective observer. In quantum theory, we are subjective observers. Consciousness, as it relates to matter, transforms into an energy band when a person dies. Different states of consciousness can be observed when a person uses substances like alcohol or drugs, or under hypnosis. During these states, mental control weakens, and individuals fail to recognize their consciousness. Conscious decision-making is an act of will. Among living beings, humans are the only ones capable of self-awareness. No other creature possesses self-consciousness. Asking questions like ‘Who am I?’ ‘Where should I head?’ and ‘Where do I belong?’ is unique to humans. The quest for meaning is exclusive to humanity.”

“The mind synthesizes the world of meaning with the material world”

Explaining the connection between the world of meaning and the material world, Tarhan stated that “The mental negative object is commonly referred to as ‘vesvese’ (misgiving) among the public and as ‘devil’ in religious literature. This malevolent object directs us toward the nafs (self). We also have an emotional positive object, which is the conscience. It guides us to distinguish between what we should and should not do. The mental object is the intellect. This object perceives, understands, interprets, and sets goals. The will makes decisions, and the frontal lobe is responsible for these decisions. Emotional energy comes from the heart, which motivates and drives us. The mind synthesizes the world of meaning with the material world. We live in a tangible world; however, there is also abstract knowledge. There is an abstract reality. The mind is the organ that makes decisions between abstract and concrete realities. In English, this is referred to as mental processing. The mind synthesizes the material world with the world of meaning. In schizophrenia, this process does not function properly. A person with schizophrenia confuses the higher reality, creating dreams or illusions in the material world. They continue to act as if the things they saw in their dreams are real, living in that realm. This is called dereistic thinking or an autistic lifestyle.”

“Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change based on experiences”

Highlighting the importance of the right approach in therapy, Tarhan said that “Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change based on experiences. Research in neuroscience shows that the human brain can adapt and change throughout life by learning new information and experiences. Therapy is about repairing damaged pathways in the brain, rewiring, reprogramming, and resetting. Essentially, therapy is like sculpting the brain. If a person internalizes and mentally accepts the information we provide, it changes the neural network in their brain. It alters prejudices and automatic stereotypes. When we achieve this, we are changing neuroplasticity. In essence, therapy is an intervention in the brain. If done incorrectly, it can make a person even more depressed. It can bring childhood traumas to the present, making the individual hostile toward their parents. It can open wounds, creating more problems while trying to solve one. Secondary and tertiary traumas may arise. That is why therapy is truly a craft and requires skill.”

“Mirror neurons form the biological basis of social learning”

Discussing the impact of emotional mirror neurons, Tarhan said that “There are motor mirror neurons and emotional mirror neurons. Emotional mirror neurons in the brain activate the same areas when someone with strong emotions approaches us, creating a form of perception. This is a powerful feeling, often described as ‘I felt the energy’ or ‘I sensed a strong frequency.’ It is similar to situations seen on matchmaking programs. Mirror neurons form the biological basis of empathy and social learning. When mirror neurons are not functioning, as in animals, only motor mirror neurons are active. However, humans also have emotional mirror neurons.”

Psychological resources are also being depleted!

Explaining Aristotle’s concept of hedonic happiness, Tarhan stated that “Hedonic happiness is pleasure-based happiness, which is what consumer culture teaches us. In consumer culture, the cycle of ‘earn and consume’ continues. Consumer culture not only depletes our financial resources but also our relationships and psychological resources, leading to isolation. It also depletes our psychological resilience, increasing depression and anxiety. This is the psychological impact of the consumer economy. We are unknowingly complicit in this, and psychology is unaware. The world is now experiencing a crisis of civilization. The youth have become victims; new generations are being victimized. Depression and suicide crises are on the rise, signaling that something is wrong. Consumer culture plays a significant role in this. Currently, we are losing the wisdom of Anatolia. Families are also breaking apart. There is a very serious crisis.”

“Narcissism is like a wild horse that needs to be tamed”

Tarhan emphasized that narcissism can be treated and concluded his remarks as follows: “We are not moving in a positive direction globally. We need to delve into our inner world and address narcissism. There are ways to treat narcissism. If we can train the negative object within us, we can overcome narcissism. This negative object also provides energy. It is alike a nuclear component. If used positively, it makes us productive and if used negatively, it harms us. Narcissism is like a wild horse that needs to be tamed.”

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)