Üsküdar University Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan met with university students from Konya. Tarhan, conversing with students from various universities and departments under the title “The Process of Evolution in the Modern Age,” spoke about the processes of character formation. Emphasizing the importance of confronting challenges rather than escaping them, Tarhan stated that the true goal should be the search for meaning. Tarhan noted that the belief in Tawhid and fundamental values ensure a strong foundation for personality, adding that the most fundamental element in character building is being a good role model.
Students from various universities and departments in Konya participated in the interview held in the Senate Hall of Üsküdar University Central Campus.
Three Fundamental Elements in Character Building…
Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, speaking to students from the Konya İlim Yayma Society about the processes of character formation, said; “There are some fundamental elements that shape a person's character. This is actually a universally accepted concept. We also use this in positive psychotherapy. For example, there is a measurement tool we call the character strengths scale. This scale is frequently used in psychotherapy processes. It mentions six virtues and twenty-four character traits. This approach was developed by an educational psychologist working at Harvard. There are three fundamental elements in character building: emotion, thought, and behavior. A thought forms in a person's mind, and when emotions are added to this thought, it turns into a belief. If this belief is repeated for approximately six weeks, it becomes a habit. If this habit continues for six months, it becomes part of one's personality. This process occurs through a system we call the epigenetic mechanism. In other words, as a result of these processes, our brain writes an algorithm through genes. Last year, two non-physicists received the Nobel Prize in Physics. One was a geneticist, and the other was a cognitive psychologist. Cognitive psychology views the brain like a computer. The brain learns through algorithms. Life scenarios we learn in childhood are processed into our brains like software. These scenarios develop and become a part of our personality when they find the right environment. The seeds sown in our souls emerge in this way. For character building, thought and emotion must combine with behavior and turn into action. This happens through a process of imitation and repetition. However, for this transformation to occur, a person must first believe in it,” he began.
“The True Goal Should Be the Search for Meaning”
Stating that one should confront difficulties instead of escaping them, Tarhan said; “Character building is about a person's ability to cope with difficulties. This is not about escaping difficulties, but rather the power to confront them. However, modernism teaches the understanding of ‘Do what you like, don't do what you don't like.’ It says, ‘You only live once.’ To build character, we must first have a goal. Goals are divided into two: concrete goals and abstract goals. Concrete goals include material elements such as owning a house, a car, wealth, and a good life. Abstract goals, on the other hand, involve deeper questions. Such as, ‘How do I want to be remembered at the end of my life? What do I want written on my tombstone? What kind of person do I want to be? What do I want to leave behind after death?’ People should have these abstract goals. Such high goals should be at the top of the goal pyramid. Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid is a good example of this. Maslow initially placed self-actualization at the very top. However, he changed this view towards the end of his life. But the capitalist system concealed this change. This information came to light in an article published in 2017. The capitalist system presents self-actualization as an ego ideal. Concepts like being visible, famous, and renowned are products of this understanding. However, the true goal should be a person's inner development and search for meaning,” he stated.
“Belief in Tawhid Ensures a Strong Foundation for Personality”
Speaking about the importance of being a good role model in character building, Tarhan said; “One of the most important issues in character building is where we invest our love. Whatever a person loves, whatever they value, that is their sacred. If this love is directed towards material things like money, possessions, or property, that person will eventually begin to drift. Today, the number of people who claim to be religious but lead a secular life has increased in society. This is a very dangerous situation. On one hand, they say ‘I am religious,’ but on the other hand, they exhibit behaviors like lying, deceit, and trickery. These are incompatible with Islamic ethics. As such bad examples multiply, they leave negative effects on young people. I recently read research on this topic. While the rate of atheism in Turkey was around 2 percent 15-20 years ago, it has risen to 8 percent today. The rate of those who say ‘I am religious’ has fallen from 53 percent to 44 percent. The orientation towards Imam Hatip high schools, which was around 30-40 percent in the past, has now decreased to 10 percent. All this data indicates a wrong direction in society, and the fundamental reason for this is being a bad example. Therefore, the most fundamental element in character building is being a good role model. Let's look at ourselves, not others. Can we be a role model for our own children, our surroundings? Because children follow their parents' footsteps, not their words. The most effective language of communication is the language of behavior. This communication is also known as nonverbal communication. Our tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, and emotional transmission are more effective than what we say. In our culture, the ethics of the Quran are our greatest guide in this sense. Belief in Tawhid and fundamental values ensure that personality rests on strong foundations. However, there is a distinction that needs to be made here. Being traditional is one thing, being traditionalist is another. Being traditional is beautiful, it means preserving our essence, but being traditionalist means trying to maintain the lifestyle of 200-300 years ago in a formal way. What is truly important is to keep the essence alive without being fixated on form,” he concluded.
“Character Building Should Start with Tawhid”
Sharing AI's comments about Prophet Muhammad, Tarhan said; “I asked artificial intelligence, ‘If our Prophet (peace be upon him) lived in this era, how would he convey his religion, how would he preach?’ The artificial intelligence replied, ‘He would synthesize religion with science.’ Today, it is necessary to approach young people by making this synthesis. Because science is the knowledge of Allah. Natural sciences and religious sciences are two different languages of the same truth. They are not contradictory. Therefore, the foundation of faith is very important in character building. Without answering the fundamental questions of faith in young people's minds and without guiding them to the belief in Tawhid, we cannot build sound ethics upon it. Because ethics can only be built upon a strong foundation of faith. To reach Allah, we have three great sources before us. The Holy Quran, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and the Book of the Universe. If we make young people read the book of the universe in this age, the direction all of them point to will be Tawhid. Scientific advancements point to the order in the universe and the existence of the Creator. That is why I had to write the book ‘Psychology of Faith.’ My aim was to synthesize these subjects with scientific data and offer a solid foundation to young people. Because without answering these questions, character building remains incomplete. Therefore, character building should start with Tawhid,” he stated.
“Fundamental Values Should Start Being Taught in Primary School”
Stating that fundamental values should be taught as a priority in character building, Tarhan said; “The process we call character building actually begins at a very early age. In countries like China and Japan, character education is provided between the ages of 4 and 6. Instilling character in children cannot be achieved by simply loading them with information. When learning, a child wants experiences, needs experience. They learn through games, they learn by living out life scenarios. They share with friends, make mistakes, quarrel, then make up. In other words, they grasp life by living it. During this process, children are not burdened with theoretical knowledge. They are made to play together, do sports, and move together. Thus, the cornerstones of character are laid. Keeping one's word, not lying, taking care of one's belongings, tidying one's room. For example, a preschool child needs to be taught that the fish in the aquarium can die. Because this is the first step in recognizing the reality of death. If they don't learn this, a child can experience great devastation when a loved one passes away. This, too, is values education. All these fundamental values should begin to be taught in primary school. In other words, character education should start much earlier than academic education,” he stated.
“Positive Psychology is Not Pollyannaism”
Speaking about concepts in positive psychology, Tarhan said; “Positive psychology is not Pollyannaism. Pollyannaism means never seeing the negative, giving away the food in your mouth, turning the other cheek to someone who hits you. Positive psychology is not like that. Classical psychology tries to bring the negative to zero, meaning it focuses on correcting pathology and curing illness. Positive psychology, on the other hand, aims to go above zero. It takes the person to the positive, enhances life quality. In English, they call this 'wellbeing'. The equivalent of the concept of wellbeing in our culture is generally translated as 'state of goodness', but we already have a word that means this: the word 'afiyet'. We have regarded the word 'afiyet' merely as something said after a meal, reducing it to food. However, 'afiyet' means a complete state of wellbeing. Again, positive psychology talks about the concept of authentic happiness. The equivalent of authentic happiness in our culture is 'huzur'. 'Huzur' is of Arabic origin and means to be ready. That is, a person knows both good and bad, is prepared for evil, yet still develops inner peace in a good direction. They can remain peaceful even in the most difficult circumstances. They can experience the same inner peace in prison or in a palace. This is the ethics of the Prophet. This is true peace. These concepts explained by positive psychology already exist in our culture. They are present in our belief system, our language, and our prayers,” he stated.
“Fundamental Knowledge Needs to Become Ethics”
Speaking about the importance of being a role model through behavior, Tarhan said; “They asked Ibn Khaldun, ‘What is the true education of a child?’ He replied, ‘There is no need for special education; your child will be as you are.’ Indeed, it is so. We provide fundamental knowledge, but this knowledge needs to become ethics within the child. Piousness also has an outer form and an essence. The outer form includes external aspects like rituals, worship, and clothing. The essence, on the other hand, is the core of the matter, which is ethics. Think of it like an orange peel; both the peel and the inside are important. Without the peel, the fruit rots, but if there's nothing inside the peel, it's just trash. Today, many people say ‘I am religious’ but are only focused on outward appearance. This is 'wardrobe religiosity'. That is, a superficial, empty piousness. This kind of approach distances people from religion because there is no sincerity, no ethics, and the essence is lost. That's why we must first be role models for our children and loved ones. With our behaviors, our state, our attitudes. If we can do this, there will be no need for any special effort for character building. It's easy to say this, but doing it in this age is truly difficult,” he said.
“Love and Patience, Not Pressure, Bring Success”
Referring to the consequences of a culture of pressure, Tarhan said; “Where there is pressure, two types of people emerge: one is a hypocrite, and the other is a rebel. In oppressive cultures, children start lying to protect themselves. They say, ‘I didn't do it,’ deny the fault, and deceive their parents. Over time, these behaviors become character traits. In such an environment, they either become passive and obedient, saying yes to everything, but then completely break away from their family in adolescence. Or, conversely, they become an autonomous individual who objects and defies. Actually, this second type is healthier because they maintain their honesty. It is easier to persuade such children and explain the truth to them. In other words, the method of pressure backfires. In such a situation, you should clearly explain the truths to the child with reasons. In the form of, ‘This is our truth; complying will be beneficial for you, and if you don't comply, you will face negative consequences like this.’ However, if the child still insists despite all this, do not force them any longer. Because it is love and patience, not pressure, that brings success,” he stated.
Love Must Be Unconditional…
Stating that the home should be a haven of trust, Tarhan said; “It's not enough for a home to just have love; it must also be a haven of trust. Trust emerges when love is combined with honesty. If there is inconsistency within love, or if there is no honesty, this love will not build trust. This can make the child spoiled and selfish. In the past, we used to call the family a haven of love; now we call it a haven of trust. Because without trust, a healthy bond cannot be established. For trust, love is needed first. The love here must be unconditional. Conditional loves, such as ‘I will love you if you behave like this, but I won't love you if you do that,’ alienate the child from themselves. True and lasting love emerges with trust and cooperation. Therefore, it is very important for the home to be a rule-based environment. The rules should not just be imposed; they need to be explained with their reasons. It is important not just to teach children the ethics of the Prophet but to make them live by it with its reasons. This understanding brings peace in this world and gains in the afterlife,” he concluded.
Book Signing Ceremony Held
At the end of the interview, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan signed and gifted his work titled ‘Being a Conscious Young Person’ to the students.
The interview concluded with a group photo session.