Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan participated in the talk titled “Evil and Artificial Intelligence in a Changing World,” organized by the Birlik Foundation Bursa Branch. Emphasizing that digitalization has created a very serious power, Tarhan underlined that instead of opposing artificial intelligence, it should be used appropriately for its purpose. Noting that children become victims of the digital world as family ties weaken, Tarhan stated that digital platforms are referred to as ‘attention killers.’ Stressing the global increase in loneliness, Tarhan expressed that family values must be kept alive to prevent children from becoming lost cases.
The talk, moderated by Muhammed Yılmaz, Head of Birlik Foundation Bursa Branch, attracted intense interest from the people of Bursa.
'Digitalization has created a very serious power'
Stating that artificial intelligence should be used appropriately for its purpose instead of being opposed, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan began his speech by saying: “One of the biggest reasons for Israel's failure in Gaza is social media. If this had happened 20 years ago, the reaction of society and people could have been ignored. There would have been a serious massacre. It stopped that. This digitalization has created a very serious power. In fact, just as the invention of the printing press brought about a change in human history, artificial intelligence will bring about the same change. That's why, instead of opposing artificial intelligence, we should use it to advance towards our goals. It's like this: when a river overflows, instead of cursing and getting angry, what do you do? You take a log. You hold onto that log and go towards your goal. In other words, you don't fight the flood, you don't curse it. You don't say 'the fish lies on its side and drifts away.' You turn towards your goal.”
'The stone roads of that time are the internet of today'
Stating that one should be the subject, not the object, of the digital world, Tarhan said: “Rome’s social, economic, and military mobility created stone roads. That’s where the saying 'all roads lead to Rome' comes from. The apostles of Jesus Christ spread Christianity to Rome using those roads. The stone roads of that time are the internet of today. We can use the internet of today to spread the truth we hold globally. There is such an opportunity. Everyone can open a YouTube page. They can explain their ideas, their cause, their thoughts. The one with strong ideas will win. Let’s believe in our cause; whether we win or not depends on the struggle we wage there. Destiny demands this from us. Let’s see if we will use these opportunities in the path of righteousness. Let’s use digitalization for our ideals, not for our ego. A person who praises themselves or shows off more than three times a day is considered a narcissist. Explaining a cause in videos is one thing, showcasing oneself is another. Social media is currently an arena of struggle. So you must strive; it should be an area you use for your cause. Let’s be the subject, not the object, of the digital world. Let them not use us, let them not direct us. Let’s be the determinants.”
'Artificial intelligence can approach objectively'
Stating that artificial intelligence can be objective with the information it possesses, Tarhan said: “Artificial intelligence, as its name suggests, is artificial, not real. I asked artificial intelligence, ‘Is existence by chance more plausible, or is existence by design more plausible?’ It replied that both are possible, but existence by design is more plausible. When approached with reasoning methods, artificial intelligence sees that the universe cannot have come into existence by chance. This means that artificial intelligence can approach things objectively, but it does so based on the information it has. The more information we provide to artificial intelligence, the more it will find the truth. If wrong information is provided, it will make wrong decisions. We need to provide artificial intelligence with plenty of good, true, and beautiful things.”
'Digital platforms are called attention killers'
Underlining that children become victims of the digital world as family ties weaken, Tarhan said: “Digital platforms are called attention killers. Young people, especially, constantly have smartphones in their hands. They grab and drag attention. This leads to the emergence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among children. Digital platforms have a significant impact on the loneliness of adolescents. That’s why restrictions are being introduced. The ministry also has studies on this. Children at that age cannot distinguish between good, bad, right, and wrong. Currently, modernism teaches that what you like is good, and what you don't like is bad. Our truths have changed. Our philosophy of life has changed. Adolescents cannot perform cost-benefit analysis or reason. If there is no peace at home, the child easily takes refuge in the digital world. School refusal begins. When family ties weaken, the child becomes a victim of the digital world. Detoxing here is important. A digital detox on social media is necessary. Like talking face-to-face only at certain intervals at home. If we can do this, many problems are easily solved. In other words, a weak family and bad friends cause young people to make the most mistakes. Therefore, if there is no family, we cannot save young people from social media.”
The magical concept: tawhid…
Stating that tawhid is being proven with the help of science, Tarhan continued: “Currently, quantum physics asks, ‘Is the universe a simulation?’ Think of a computer game. Think of someone playing ball in a computer game. The player hitting the ball cannot know whether it will be a goal or not. The person who wrote the program knows from which coordinates and angle it will be a goal. The programmer looks from outside. They say, ‘If you hit it from this angle, it will be a goal.’ This is an example. Allah created the entire universe as a simulation. We don't know what we call destiny, but it is known to Allah. Allah knows what is in destiny. If the universe is a simulation, we can understand this destiny. There is a need to believe in Allah. All the arrows here point to tawhid. Absolute knowledge, absolute will, absolute power, absolute wisdom; if there is a powerful force, closer than the jugular vein, if everything is under its control, then it can only be God. Otherwise, it cannot be God. After believing in tawhid, you believe in others too. That’s why the magical concept here is tawhid. We must eliminate the question marks regarding this issue. Science is currently helping us. Science proves that the Quran is true and that it is the religion of tawhid…”
'No other living creature besides humans has a quest for meaning'
Speaking about metacognitive genes, Tarhan said: “Extensive studies are being conducted on the effects of spirituality on mental health. Specifically, four genes are mentioned in humans. These are called metacognitive genes. Supra-mind genes. For example, one is the gene for the quest for meaning. No other living creature besides humans has a quest for meaning. The second gene is the novelty-seeking gene. Humans are the same as they were a thousand years ago, but they don't build their homes the same way. Humans have a novelty-seeking trait. The third is perceiving time. A distinction is made between past and future. The fourth gene is the awareness-of-death gene. That is, no other living creature besides humans knows it will die. Look at the animals in the slaughterhouse. They will be slaughtered soon, but the animal continues to graze because it doesn't know it will die. Due to these genetic characteristics, this shows us: there is a quest for meaning in humans. This quest for meaning exists in humans…”
'Whatever our intention, our brain programs itself accordingly'
Stating that a person must first know themselves, Tarhan said: “What moves a person and enables them to focus is intention. There are studies on the neuroscience of intention. Whatever our intention, our brain programs itself accordingly. So, let’s say we intend to do something. The brain sets a goal related to it. After the goal, a need arises. After the need, a desire arises. And after the desire arises, motivation moves itself. Currently, if a young person wants to regulate their behavior, they should question their intention. Is their intention money, possessions, property, or fame? ‘What kind of person should I be when I reach the end of my life?’ This should be our intention. If someone targets high human values in their intention, it's like this: We take a map. Our destination is clear, but first, we need to know where we are. Someone who knows where they are can draw a roadmap for their goal. They can set their navigation accordingly. Knowing where you are is important. First, we will know ourselves.”
Children emulate three things
Underlining that parents should spend time with their children, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said: “Social media should not be at the center of our lives. It should be a tool as we move towards our goals. Some parents come home. They take their phones, and they put the child in front of the television. Children are most influenced by unspoken language. When a child is about to do something, they look sideways at their mother and father. If they get approval, they do it. A child emulates three things: the mother, the father, and the relationship between the mother and father. If these are good, even if the child makes a mistake, they come back. That’s why if we want to correct our children, let’s first correct ourselves. Let’s improve communication within the family. When we correct that, no bad child will come out of that home. Let’s make time for our children. Let’s not entrust them to cheap babysitters. That is, let’s try to keep them away from phones and screens as much as possible. The most beautiful gift a mother and father can give their child is to spend time with them. It is to value them. That is the greatest gift. If you don't do this, that child will become a child of the digital world.”
'Global capitalism encourages narcissism'
Speaking about the characteristics of a narcissistic person, Tarhan said: “Narcissists see themselves as flawless. They see themselves as special, important, and superior to others. They are always right. They lack empathy. This also happens in workplaces. If there is a narcissistic manager, you cannot criticize them there. However, criticism eliminates blind spots in a person's work. Business owners know it; it’s called business blindness. When they are in the same environment, they always make the same mistakes. When someone says this is wrong, you should thank them. That’s why ideal business owners send independent auditors to criticize them so they can find and correct their flaws. Here, narcissists are closed to criticism. They feed on praise, in other words. Currently, global capitalism encourages narcissism. Narcissism is truly a global disease.”
'All people are equal in terms of the opportunity to be good'
Stating that societies that ignore the disabled are underdeveloped societies, Tarhan said: “The challenges for disadvantaged people and advantaged people are different. Disadvantaged people are tested by not doing good, right, and beautiful things in life with the disadvantages they have. Other people are also tested in understanding disadvantaged people and paving the way for their inclusion in social life. Therefore, both advantaged and disadvantaged people have responsibilities. Some people are short, some are tall, some are handsome, some are of different heights and different characteristics, but all people are equal in terms of the opportunity to be good. People are created equal in terms of the opportunity to be good. In other areas, they are not created equal due to the secret of testing. One of the most important indicators of a society's development is how it treats the disabled. Communities that have projects and support for institutions related to the disabled become developed societies. Societies that ignore and neglect the disabled become underdeveloped societies. For this reason, it is necessary to strive to help disabled people and be a good example. Everyone has the right to be spoiled, but one should not overdo it.”
'If we don't want our children to become lost cases, we must keep family values alive'
Emphasizing the global increase in loneliness, Tarhan concluded his speech by saying: “One of the biggest problems of this era is distrust, which has increased greatly. There is global loneliness. The UK and Japan established Ministries of Loneliness. We will probably establish one too at this rate. Loneliness is increasing greatly. This is a global problem. At this point, we need to look at the root of the problem. Children aged 14-16 have a very high need for trust. They want to be valued. There is a need for trust. Therefore, the need to alleviate loneliness is very high. In other words, if we make the family an institution that alleviates loneliness, we will protect both ourselves and our families from evils. That's why we say 'Family, the Last Refuge.' Why is the family the last refuge? There were three norms that protected society and humans. One was legal norms. Laws and rules. Those who do not comply are judged in courts, by laws. The second is social norms. Traditions and customs. As a result of digitalization, social norms have been destroyed, our traditions have been overturned. This is called social anomie. Social normlessness has emerged. Culture is no longer transmitted by the family, but by social media. If the family is weak, our children will be lost cases affected by the times. If we don't want our children to become lost cases, we must keep family values alive. Therefore, investing in the family is as important as investing in national defense. In other words, investment in stone and soil is not permanent; investment in people is permanent.”