Regarding the manifestations of love in the human world, the symposium titled “Love from Metaphor to Reality” has begun, organized in cooperation with the Üsküdar University Institute of Sufi Studies and Çanakkale 18 Mart University (ÇOMÜ) Faculty of Theology. Speaking on the first day of the symposium, which was also attended by Çanakkale Governor İlhami Aktaş, Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that truth is finding the creator. Tarhan, noting that a person who does not question their existence cannot be happy, “Reason only tries to make a person happy in the world. It is necessary to combine reason and heart. By combining our emotions with our reason, we can find truth and wisdom.” he said.
The opening speeches of the two-day symposium began with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nimetullah Akın from ÇOMÜ Faculty of Theology. ÇOMÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Sedat Murat and Çanakkale Governor İlhami Aktaş also participated as speakers in the online program.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “The ability to manage emotions should be acquired against the exploitation of imperialism”
In the program where Rector Advisor Cemalnur Sargut and Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç from the Üsküdar University Institute of Sufi Studies also presented papers, Tarhan emphasized the importance of addressing a universal topic like love, which has entered the scope of positive science, and stated that science and wisdom should be combined in our age. Tarhan said: “This symposium, co-organized by 18 Mart University, Çanakkale Governorship, and Üsküdar University, made a beautiful start by addressing a universal topic like love. In this era, science and wisdom needed to be integrated. Sufism is the synthesis of mind and heart. Addressing the subject of love, which has entered the realm of positive science, is very important; this initiative will lead to many good things. Young people, in particular, urgently need this. The new generation is under the threat of cultural imperialism. Previously, imperialism was coercive; now, it is a consensual imperialism. We are voluntarily exploited. For our youth to be aware of this, they need to acquire the skill of managing emotions.”
“I think, therefore I am has now transformed into I believe, therefore I am”
Tarhan pointed out that in past eras where reason was exalted, emotions were not taken into account; “After the 1990s, managing emotions was accepted as a scientific field. Managing emotions is a scientific domain. With the book Descartes' Error, it became evident that emotions were neglected. Humans are not merely beings of reason, but beings with emotions. Descartes' phrase 'I think, therefore I am' was changed to 'I feel, therefore I am.' Now, this phrase has transformed into 'I believe, therefore I am.' If a person believes in a subject, they add emotion to the thought they believe in. If they believe, they turn it into a habit and a belief. If they continue to perform this behavior, they turn it into a character trait. This is a process of wisdom education. This has been attempted for centuries. It has been tried with classical methods, by attaching oneself to a person, or with rituals. We need to carry its essence and truth to the present day and explain it to young people. This way, we can save our youth from the influence of cultural imperialism.”
“Love is an ocean, and the human ship sails in this ocean”
Tarhan made statements about the meaning of love; “With the title of the symposium, ‘Love from Metaphor to Reality,’ a crucial key concept has been captured. Metaphorical love is a person's love for the world and matter. Today, money is considered the most sacred value. Whatever is most discussed in a home, that is its sacred value. If money, property, fame, or status are discussed, that is the sacred value of the home. What we love is our most important, most cherished thing. As Mevlana said, ‘Let the world be in our hands and pockets, but not in our hearts.’ In the world, humans sail like a ship; if we take the sea inside us, we will sink. Love is an ocean, and the human ship sails in that ocean. The goal is to seek and find the truth. Truth is finding the creator. A person who does not question their existence cannot be happy. Reason only tries to make a person happy in the world. We should not only consider the heart either. It is necessary to combine reason and heart. By combining our emotions with our reason, we can find truth and wisdom. The symposium on love is a beautiful initiative; I believe it will pave a good path for Turkey's future.”
The “Love from Metaphor to Reality” symposium, organized in cooperation with the Üsküdar University Institute of Sufi Studies and Çanakkale 18 Mart University (ÇOMÜ) Faculty of Theology, will conclude with a closing ceremony to be held on Sunday.