In cooperation with Üsküdar Üniversitesi Risale-i Nur Research Platform and Conscience of the Age Student Club, the “International Post-Materialist and Holistic Science Conference” was organized on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi's passing. Speaking at the opening of the conference, which brought together experts from many different countries around the world such as the USA, Germany, England, Nigeria, and the Netherlands, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Chairman of the Executive Board Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that natural sciences alone are not enough to serve human happiness. Tarhan stated that the increase in divorces and suicides worldwide, and the fact that people become richer but their happiness does not increase in parallel, demonstrate this, adding, “Ideal happiness does not only aim for the happiness of this world, but targets the happiness of both worlds. A philosophy that does not foresee happiness after death is not a correct philosophy.”
Bediüzzaman Said Nursi Commemorated on 63rd Anniversary of His Passing
Held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Central Campus, the International Post-Materialist and Holistic Science Conference began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Hafız Ahmet Kaya.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Bediüzzaman wrote works that would unite religious sciences and natural sciences”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Chairman of the Executive Board Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated in his opening speech titled "Why Holistic Science?" that Bediüzzaman's passion was to synthesize religion and science. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that Üsküdar Üniversitesi has commemorated Bediüzzaman on the anniversary of his passing since its inception, and said, “Bediüzzaman's passion was to be able to synthesize religion and science. While still young, he left Van and came to Istanbul, wishing to meet Sultan Abdulhamid. When Sultan Abdulhamid offered gold instead of considering Bediüzzaman's proposal to open a university in the East, Bediüzzaman refused it. In his writings, he changed his strategy after the declaration of the Republic. While he had previously explicitly wanted to combine madrasah sciences with natural sciences, after the Republic, he wanted to establish a Darülfünun (university). However, after the Republic, he saw that the education system had changed and religious education had been removed from schools. Upon this, he began to write works that would unite religious sciences and natural sciences."
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “A 'meta-cognition' gene is effective in humanity's search for meaning”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that Bediüzzaman discovered the concepts of 'mana-yı harfî' (meaning by letter) and 'mana-yı ismî' (meaning by name), continued his words as follows:
“When we look at a flower and express its beauty, we evaluate it with the concept of 'mana-yı ismî'. However, when we question its existence and by whom it was produced, the concept of 'mana-yı harfî' comes into play. When we consider humans, we question their purpose. Is it to eat, drink, and multiply like an animal? Humans are not a part of nature in the world; they are different. Therefore, there is a need for humans to search for meaning and purpose. In their search for meaning and purpose, they also need to find their Creator. 'Who created me, why am I here?' Humans are the only beings capable of asking such questions. In humanity's search for meaning, metacognition, or the 'meta-cognition' gene, is effective. There is also a gene related to the understanding of seeking novelty and the perception of time. Humans are the only beings who can perceive their past and future. Furthermore, humans are the only living beings who can perceive death. The understanding of seeking novelty, which is one of these genes, has been proven. This gene is particularly present in hyperactive individuals. Another characteristic of that gene is creativity. Those who bring innovation to the world are also individuals with this gene. In fact, everyone has that gene, but it requires effort to activate it. Most likely, Bediüzzaman also had that gene.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “The human mind thinks mathematically”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that Bediüzzaman's actions during his lifetime were in line with the holistic science approach, said, “When we investigated where the holistic science approach is used in the world, thanks to Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, we reached the Post-Materialist Science Manifesto published in America. The Post-Materialist Science Manifesto means the unity of sciences. Especially the grandeur of mathematics shows that sciences are a whole. When natural and religious sciences are combined with mathematics, they become reasonable to us. The human mind thinks mathematically, searching for cause and effect. The marriage of logic and mathematics gave birth to the computer. The first computer machine, Tureng, combined mathematical and reasoning methods. When spiritual science and psychology combined with mathematics, computational psychology emerged. From here, humans will begin to discover the mathematics of spiritual sciences.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Natural sciences alone are not sufficient for human happiness”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, referring to Bediüzzaman's words, stated that fanaticism emerges when only religious sciences are taught, and said, “We saw this in the Taliban regime. They don't even teach how electricity works in schools. They have such an education system. There are extremely anachronistic experiences. They live the Islam of two hundred years ago today; they have not been able to interpret new situations. People are fleeing from there because of their contradictory stance. Bediüzzaman stated that deception and doubt also emerge when only natural sciences are taught and spiritual sciences are not. The current increase in divorces and suicides worldwide, and the fact that people become richer but their happiness does not increase in parallel, show that natural sciences alone are not sufficient to serve human happiness. Ideal happiness does not only aim for the happiness of this world, but targets the happiness of both worlds. A philosophy that does not foresee happiness after death is not a correct philosophy.”
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akgündüz: “Bediüzzaman fought against godless philosophy throughout his life”
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akgündüz, Rector of the Islamic University of Rotterdam, Netherlands, stated in his speech titled "Positivism is Dying in Europe; People are Searching for Spirituality" that the most important target of godless philosophy and positivism is the Islamic world and Turkey. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akgündüz stated that Bediüzzaman fought against this insidious enemy throughout his life, saying, “Godless philosophy, also known as positivism, which views religion as an opiate and rejects spiritual values, has rejected religious values in the name of science and, unfortunately, has held the entire world hostage for a century under the guise of communism, positivism, or enlightenment since the beginning of the 20th century.” Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akgündüz stated that Bediüzzaman argued that a society could never remain godless, and that Bediüzzaman compiled the Risale-i Nur collection to combat godless philosophy, and was subjected to imprisonment and exile for 28 years for rejecting this philosophy.
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki: “When we read and understand the Book of the Universe, we will become complete believers”
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki, Faculty Member of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufi Studies and President of RİNAP, in his speech titled "The Quran and the Book of the Universe," said, “To the extent we know science, we do not move away from religion as in other religions. On the contrary, religion becomes a serious attraction for us, drawing us in. For truth is at the center.” Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki noted that Bediüzzaman Said Nursi stated that natural sciences are included in the Holy Quran.
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki, stating that performing prayer, fasting, and not drinking alcohol are fard (obligatory) and wajib (necessary), said, “We have paid great attention to these commands, and we have tried to understand them. On the other hand, we have set aside the commands to read the Book of the Universe, which are abundant in the Quran from these verses. However, if this is wajib, then that is also wajib. Reading and understanding the Book of the Universe is also a matter that is fard and wajib for a Muslim. Therefore, when we fulfill this command, we will become complete Muslims and believers. Otherwise, it will be as if we have taken half of the religion, only engaging with the rituals of worship, and thus depriving ourselves of reading the book of faith that truly leads us to Allah, introduces Allah, and shows Allah's greatness.”
The first session titled "Holistic Science Approach" was held
Following the opening speeches, the session titled "Holistic Science Approach" was moderated by TÜBA Honorary Member, Retired Faculty Member, Prof. Dr. Alparslan Açıkgenç from Üsküdar Üniversitesi Department of Philosophy. Prof. Dr. Alparslan Açıkgenç participated in the conference with his speech titled "The Expression of the Concept of Science in Islamic Science Tradition in Contemporary Philosophy of Science."
Participated Online from the USA
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Board of Trustees Member, Prof. Dr. Yunus Çengel from the University of Nevada, USA, made a presentation titled "Life and the Qualities of Life in Light of Observations" at the conference, participating online. Retired Faculty Member of Manisa Celal Bayar University, Prof. Dr. Bünyamin Duran also participated online in the conference with his speech titled "From Secular Society to Post-Secular/Post-Materialist Society: Jürgen Habermas."
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir Addressed the Environmental Perspective
Dean of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Visiting Faculty Member at Worcester Clark University, USA
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir participated in the conference with his presentation titled "Post-Materialist Science and its Promise for Environmental Awareness and the Role of Religious Worldviews." Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector's Advisor Prof. Dr. Sırrı Akbaba supported the conference with his speech titled "New Paradigm in Psychology Science." The first session concluded with the online participation of Dr. Cemil Şahinöz, President of the Association for Science, Religion and Harmony, Germany, who delivered a speech titled "Multidisciplinary Science According to Bediüzzaman."
Can Science and Islam Reconcile?
While the second session, titled "Post-Materialist Science Approach-1," was moderated by Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir; Prof. Dr. Harald Walach, Researcher at the Institute of Other Societies, Kazimieras Simonavicius University, Vilnius, Lithuania, and Founding Director of the Institute for Transcultural Health Sciences, Germany, who participated in the conference from Germany, gave a conference titled "How a New Science of Consciousness Can Contribute to the Expansion of Science?"
In the second session, Prof. Dr. Necati Aydın, Deputy Chairman of the Institute for Holistic Science, who participated in the conference from the USA, made a presentation titled "Towards Holistic Science and Education Approach with a Literal Approach." Prof. Dr. Colin Paul Turner, Director of the International Muslim Theology Foundation, who participated in the conference from England, supported the conference with his speech titled "Can Science and Islam Reconcile? A Reassessment."
The third session was held with international participation
The conference concluded with the third session titled "Post-Materialist Science Approach-2." In the final session, moderated by Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Prof. Dr. Marjorie Woollacott from the University of Oregon Neuroscience Institute, who participated online from the USA, spoke on "Transformative Effects of Spiritual Awakenings on Scientists and Academics"; David Lorimer, Director of the Scientific and Medical Network from England, spoke on "Gnosis in the Science of Consciousness of the Future"; and Dr. Vasileios Basios from Université Libre de Bruxelle, Belgium, participated in the conference with his speech titled "Towards a Self-Reflexive Science on Origins."
In the final session, Prof. Dr. Athena Despoina Potari from Harvard University, USA, spoke on "A Call for the Renaissance of the Spirit in Human Sciences", Prof. Dr. Mohamed Bakari from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, spoke on "On the Scientific Method", and Dr. Olaniyan Adeola Seleem, a graduate of the Philosophy Department of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, participated online in the conference with his speech titled "Positivism Regenerates Itself: An Environmental Assessment of Scientific and Technological Breakthroughs."