Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan was the first guest of the Şemsipaşa 3K (Asparagus, Book, Culture) Talks organized by Üsküdar Şemsipaşa Library. At the event moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süleyman Doğan, Tarhan made striking evaluations on “Understanding the Social Psychology of People During the Pandemic,” drawing attention to how Covid-19 condemned the world to great loneliness. Tarhan stated; “Life is like a chain; when a crisis occurs, it breaks the weakest link. Currently, in the Covid-19 crisis, people have become isolated. In the coming years, we will witness the bankruptcy of Western societies. We need to offer an alternative to the declining course of civilizations. The scientific solution to this is Positive Psychology, prepared with reference to Eastern wisdom and Anatolian sagacity. The solution to civilization crises lies in our own culture.”
“The concept of culture is confined to a concrete perspective”
Tarhan stated that he wanted to bring a new perspective to books and culture under the title “Şemsipaşa Asparagus, Book, Culture Talks,” evaluating the topic by linking it to his field of expertise, psychology. Tarhan; “If we express psychology in three words; mind, brain, and culture. Culture means human interaction with their environment. When analyzing a person's personality, there are 3 different pillars: First, communication style; second, coping with stress and problem-solving; and finally, thinking style. These three pillars are used to analyze individuals' personalities. Culture is a very important concept. Literary scholar Mehmet Kaplan has an excellent definition of culture, saying, ‘Culture is the way humans interact with objects.’ In this context, culture is a person's relationship with objects, with their parents, with other people, that is, with the object. From this perspective, the Ministry of Culture in Turkey remains overshadowed because it is referred to as the “Ministry of Tourism and Culture.” While culture is an abstract value, it is confined to concrete concepts like controlling tourism revenues and museum maintenance when combined with tourism. This is a short-term perspective; if we want to think long-term, we urgently need to invest in the field of culture.”
“Successful civilizations emerged with abstract culture”
Tarhan stated that our ancestors built a great civilization with abstract culture and set an example to the world, adding that systems founded on justice and honesty are lasting. Tarhan; “Our ancestors have come this far with abstract culture, not concrete culture. As in the example of the Ottoman Empire, they brought about voluntary change in people through this. Another period that serves as an example for us is the Age of Bliss (Asr-ı Saadet). After Prophet Muhammad began to propagate the religion of Islam, he was offered the leadership of Mecca, but he did not accept it. If he had thought tactically and strategically, in such a situation, Prophet Muhammad would have accepted and established the system, and after gaining strength, he would have said everyone would become Muslim, and most likely, he would have succeeded. However, with his death, the system would collapse, the Islamic idea would not remain, and things would revert to the old ways. Islamic thought derives its legitimacy from moral values; honesty, not betraying trusts, and a sense of justice are paramount. However, the Muslim of this era says power first, then justice. Yet, if there is power without justice, it leads to oppression. If there is justice without power, you remain weak and powerless; a balance needs to be achieved.” he said.
“We perceived modernization as Westernization and concretization”
Emphasizing the culture-preserving feature of the family, Tarhan stated that if traditional values are not protected, the world is heading towards a single culture that will destroy all other cultures. Tarhan; “The family protects culture. Especially during the 0-3 age period, values acquired within the family ensure cultural transmission. In recent years, especially social media, has taken our culture under its influence. We have incorrectly applied the process of Westernization and modernization that has continued for 200 years. We perceived modernization as Westernization and concretization. Western culture is rotten; we were not obliged to adopt these values. Currently, there is a fire in the family; if we could revive and sustain our own culture, we might not have faced such a situation. Culture has 3 main sources: The first source is the family, the second is the street, and the third is the school. If these three sources do not function healthily now, the world is moving towards monoculturalism, and a propaganda promoting a single culture is being made. The next generation will be children of popular culture.” he stated.
“Digitalization causes cultural change”
Tarhan stated that the world is experiencing a major cultural change, adding that culture has taken a big hit with the digital revolution. Tarhan; “The world is undergoing a great cultural transformation. The cultural sphere has been the most affected area by the digital revolution. The world is moving towards monoculturalism, and this culture must be popular culture. Previously, the institutions that transmitted culture were; family, street, neighborhood, school, and close friendships. Currently, the most important sources for cultural transmission are digital spaces, digital platforms, and social media. These are changing children's brains and causing a mental transformation. Content appealing to young people needs to be produced on these platforms. The time pressure on this generation is immense; they are a generation of speed and pleasure. Generation Z watches YouTube at accelerated speeds, their most important characteristic is virtual socialization. Another socio-psychological dimension of this generation is addiction. In other words, digitalization is causing cultural change and revolution.” he stated.
“Being open to innovation is necessary to achieve societal goals”
Tarhan stated that at a time when the world was undergoing cultural transformation, the Ottoman Empire missed the Industrial Revolution by failing to keep up with these developments, emphasizing the need to be open to innovation. Tarhan; “The Ottoman Empire’s missing the Industrial Revolution process was a result of cultural transformation. When Yavuz Sultan Selim went to Egypt, he wanted to take mobile cannons with him, but the Ash'ari scholars there opposed innovation and did not accept it. This is, in a way, following the future. The transition to the New Age in 1453 is tied to the conquest of Istanbul. In the Middle Ages, people worked like slaves in the feudal system; Fatih showed that the castle could be demolished and feudalism could collapse. When the castles were destroyed, a new era began, and the bourgeois class formed. These are the sociological aspects of the conquest of Istanbul and an innovative perspective. Being from a military background, I know very well what the course of action is and what the strategic goal is. There are strategic goals within societies. Abstract cultures are quite important in realizing these goals and carrying them to future generations. At the top of a believing person's strategic goal is divine consent. After that, there should be abstract goals, being a good person, and worldly desires. Keeping one's ego ideal straight is very important for achieving results. “He whose ruler is crooked cannot draw a straight line,” said Hz. Ali. A person must first have the correct measure, embark on a path with an ideal goal, and the rest will naturally follow.”
“A remedy for humanity isolated by the pandemic: Eastern wisdom and Anatolian sagacity”
Tarhan stated that with Covid-19, the world has been condemned to great loneliness, adding that ministries of loneliness have been established in many parts of the world. Tarhan; “Life is like a chain; when a crisis occurs, it breaks the weakest link. Currently, in the Covid-19 crisis, the family is the weakest link in the Western world. Violence and suicides have increased worldwide. For example, in Japan, a Ministry of Loneliness was established in March 2020; the UK had established one in 2018. People became isolated due to the pandemic. The West is currently like a tree that shines on the outside but is hollow on the inside. One should not be deceived by its appearance; human relationships have been severely impacted. It is immigrants who keep the Western world afloat; they employ educated immigrants. According to my prediction, in the coming years, we will see the bankruptcy of Western societies. We need to offer an alternative to the declining course of civilizations. Currently, behind loneliness lies egoism, because when a person becomes egoistic, they pursue their own pleasures. The capitalist morality offered by the West already advocates this, namely hedonism. Neither Socrates, Roman law, nor Greek philosophy constitute Western philosophy and values. Existentialist philosophy, which emerged in the 20th century, has taken hold of the West like an epidemic. The process begins with hedonistic feelings; people become selfish and eventually lonely and unhappy. When they cannot find a solution, they resort to suicide. The scientific solution to this is Positive Psychology, prepared with reference to Eastern wisdom and Anatolian sagacity. The solution to civilization crises is once again found in our own culture,” he said.
News: Esmanur Tuna
Photo: Kaan Güzeltepe