Prof. Nevzat Tarhan's significant contribution to the book 'A Scientific Perspective on Goodness!'

President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist, Author Prof. Nevzat Tarhan contributed to the conceptual book titled 'A Scientific Perspective on Goodness,' which is prepared in collaboration with Sivas Cumhuriyet University and Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University. Tarhan, drawing attention to the crisis of civilization brought by the modern age, described the institution of family as the last refuge, stating, 'Modernity sowed rain and is reaping a storm; however, goodness extinguishes the fire in the family.'

Published by Sivas Cumhuriyet University Publications and brought to readers, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan contributed to the book 'A Scientific Perspective on Goodness,' edited by Assoc. Prof. Nuran Çetin, Assoc. Prof. Ali Soylu, and Dr. Hatice Kübra Özcan, with his article titled 'The Last Refuge: Family' in the Face of the Modern Age's Challenge to Goodness.' 

In his article, Tarhan discussed the destructive effects of modernity on the family, the biological foundations of goodness, and how goodness can be built within the family, adopting a multidisciplinary approach.

Modernity sowed rain, and now it is reaping a storm...

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that the institution of family is in a deep crisis in today's Western world, presented the increase in child mental health problems and the rise of anti-marriage movements as concrete indicators of this situation. Tarhan, citing the establishment of a Ministry of Loneliness in the UK as an example of the severity of the social crisis, emphasized that values such as materialism, selfishness, and comfort-seeking harm the family structure. Tarhan stated that the family institution is particularly targeted in global psychological wars, and pointed out that with the infiltration of popular culture into the family, drug use, violence, divorce, and suicides are spreading like an epidemic.

Biological and psychological foundations of goodness

Tarhan stated that goodness is not merely an individual virtue but a biological potential inherent in human nature, and that those who do good will also find good. He emphasized the existence of physical evidence of morality and emotions in the brain, and the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in achieving life success and building healthy relationships. Tarhan, defining evil as the absence of goodness, stated that critical self-reflection and recognizing one's own positive and negative tendencies are crucial for moving towards goodness.

Pillars of goodness in the family: The 0-6 age period is critical

Tarhan reminded that the family is the fundamental institution where love, respect, and trust are built, and stated that the 0-6 age period, in particular, is the most critical time for a child to acquire moral values. 

Tarhan, highlighting the importance of parents being role models, underscored the following values for the sustainability of goodness in the family:

•     Golden Mean Rule: Parties meeting halfway in conflict management and acting on the 'win-win' principle.
•     Open and Transparent Communication: Honesty and transparency can calm storms, and emotional literacy strengthens communication.
•     Teamwork Mentality: Marriage should be seen not as a field of competition, but as a 'team game' against life's challenges.

Goodness in the family is an active process

In the concluding section of his article, Prof. Tarhan emphasized that goodness in the family is not a passive state but an active process requiring continuous investment, learning, and conscious effort. 

An important study for strengthening preventive mental health…

Tarhan's work, written from a scientific and multidisciplinary perspective, made significant contributions to the protection of the family institution and the strengthening of preventive mental health.