Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan was a guest of Hayalhanem Istanbul. Meeting with participants within the scope of platform lectures, Tarhan emphasized the existence and oneness of Allah, underlining that the only rational belief is the belief in Tawhid. Tarhan noted that whoever has a goal and a strategy can find Tawhid, adding that connecting with Allah is an investment in eternal life. Tarhan also pointed out that piety (taqwa) is considered the greatest jihad in the struggle against the self (nafs).
“New answers are needed for old questions”
At the meeting attended by approximately one thousand people, Tarhan stated that new answers should be given to old questions and drew attention to the concept of 'ene'. Tarhan said; “The Turkish equivalent of the word 'ene' means selfhood. It is also translated as ego. It is referred to as Risale-i Ene and Zerre (Treatise on the Self and the Atom). In Islamic history, there is no more comprehensive commentary than this. There is a perspective that addresses a person's egotism (enaniyet), ego, and self (nafs) to this extent, evaluating the two concepts together. As it is suitable for this era, it provides new answers to the truths of this era. In other words, those who explained the truth in great Islamic history gave the best answers to the questions of their time. In this age, new answers are needed for old questions to answer new questions.”
“Egotism (Enaniyet) is a marvelous key given to humans”
Tarhan stated that the secrets of the universe can be understood through the feeling of egotism (enaniyet); “Egotism (Enaniyet) is a marvelous key given to humans. With it, we can open hidden treasures, understand the Esma’ül Hüsna (Beautiful Names of Allah). We can comprehend the intricate talisman of the universe. We can understand 'Muamma-i müşkilküşa', which means very difficult secrets. A talisman is a space of wonder. It is a secret that makes a person astonished and amazed. Modernism changed ontology. 'Ene' shows how to use ontology correctly. It holds the sad key, the key to the universe, in its hand and is attached to the self (nafs). It is attached to the human self (nafs). The doors of the universe, while outwardly appearing open, are truly closed. Allah Almighty has given humanity a key, named 'ene' as a trust, such a key that it opens all the doors of the universe…” he said.
“Without darkness, we cannot understand the value of light”
Emphasizing the limitlessness of Allah, Tarhan said; “Without darkness, we cannot understand the value of light. Limits are necessary. Like when darkness ends, light begins. When cold ends, warmth begins... Limits are needed. It is unknown, unfelt, but Allah is not like that. Allah is limitless. Humans must understand Allah by producing designs. They must compare to Allah’s absoluteness. 'Vahid-i kıyas' (Unit of comparison). The most important methods in the hand of 'ene' are reasoning methods. It uses them. Aristotle was the first to identify reasoning methods. Deduction and induction were found later. After that, there is analogy, and comparison. Later, modal logic was discovered in the 1920s. Modal logic is also probable logic, possibility logic. That is, there is a possible universe, an eternal universe. And there is a probable universe. This modal logic with the probable universe. Meteorology uses these. Based on this, they state the probability of rain. They make its calculations.” he said.
“Consciousness is superior to intellect”
Referring to meaning production and mentalization as unique to humans, Tarhan said; “For example, consider a cat, a dog, a lion; they are genetically coded, and they do not go beyond their programs. Take a monkey, let it stay among humans for a thousand years, it still cannot mentalize. It cannot produce meaning. It cannot establish a state, or create a society. In other words, their behaviors are determined as much as they are allowed. This is not present in autistic people. 'Self-consciousness' is not present in autistic people. They cannot produce a theory of mind. Mirror neurons in their brain do not work either. Nerve cells do not work well. So, because they are not conscious beings like humans, they are beings with souls, but they lack consciousness. Consciousness is superior to intellect. Intellect is a function of the brain. We need an interface between our brain and our soul. This interface is called the mind. It is even being researched now whether the mind is a quantum receiver. Because the human brain works like wireless internet. Allah has given humans the ability to mentalize and produce meaning.” he stated.
“One should make Divine Consent (Rıza-i İlahi) the ultimate goal”
Drawing attention to how the brain programs itself with intentional behavior. Tarhan said; “If you use egotism (enaniyet) for good, you know the secrets of Allah. If you use it for evil, you become a soldier of Satan. A person should be well-intentioned, sincere, and make Divine Consent (Rıza-i İlahi) their ultimate goal. Even if the goal is good, if the method used is satanic, angels withdraw. A person is left alone with their self (nafs) and Satan. Here, egotism (enaniyet) has chosen evil. So, intention is very important. Another tool in the hand of egotism (enaniyet) is intention. Intentional behavior exists in humans. If there is intentional behavior, the brain programs itself accordingly. For example, when you intend to wake up at 4 AM, you wake up without setting an alarm. If you say, 'I might wake up, or I might not,' you can't wake up. Morning prayer is the same way. Our brain is an organ programmed by intention.” he stated.
“Whoever has a goal and a strategy finds Tawhid”
Stating that those who lead a pleasure-oriented life cannot find the truth, Tarhan said; “The human-centered life hub says, ‘Humans are sacred, family is not sacred.’ It says there is no other sacred thing. The only sacred thing is humans. There is a humanistic approach. Humanist is separate from humanism. Humanism is an ideology. A humanist is philanthropic. There is a good and a bad part within a person. The good part struggles with the bad part. Whichever part we feed, that part will grow. Whichever we feed will win. This is what egotism (enaniyet) has. Both exist. If we feed the good part, we will accumulate good things at the end of our lives. If we feed the bad part, we will accumulate bad things at the end of our lives. Therefore, egotism (enaniyet) is a marvelous self-consciousness for us. It is a great opportunity for a person who uses their intellect. Whoever has a goal and a strategy finds Tawhid. If they don't have a goal and a strategy, if they are only pleasure-oriented, they cannot find the truth.” he said.
“To find the truth, a rational, intellect-compatible belief is needed”
Emphasizing the 4 paths leading to truth, Tarhan said; “The first is experiment and observation. For example, dialectical materialism only accepts experiment and observation. However, reasoning methods also lead to truth. The second path is reasoning methods. The third is rational intuition. And the fourth is rational belief. After the first three, to find the truth, a rational, intellect-compatible belief is needed. That is Tawhid. Other beliefs are not rational. For example, there are those who worship frogs, those who worship crows. None of these are rational…” he stated.
“Piety (Taqwa) is the greatest jihad in the struggle against the self (nafs)...”
Stating that establishing a connection with Allah is an investment in eternal life, Tarhan said; “Piety (Taqwa) is considered the greatest jihad in the struggle against the self (nafs). It is a form of jihad. For example, there is the jihad of sorrow. When you succeed in being patient in matters that cause pain within you, when you suffer, this is called the jihad of sorrow. Being able to say no to yourself by controlling the self (nafs), to postpone. You suffer, you grieve, but because you connect with Allah, it returns to you as an investment in eternal life. In the Holy Quran, according to the life of the Messenger of Allah, when you do good or evil, there is a recompense, but when you do good, it is recompensed ten-fold. Being a good person is the rent for our existence. Keeping your word, having good morals, being honest… We have become human, not trees, not birds, not stones. Allah has given us many blessings, many qualities, intellect, self-consciousness. To know this, to be aware of this, is the rent for our existence.” he stated.
“It is necessary to train the decision-making mechanism in the brain”
Stating that the pathways in the brain of a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder resemble highways, Tarhan said; “Previously, the old name for obsessive-compulsive disorder was psychasthenia. It was considered a disorder of will. A decision-making disorder. Currently, with the development of neuroscience, it is easier for a person to manage the whispers (waswasa) coming from Satan. If a bad thought comes, and they analyze the thought well, saying 'this is absurd and meaningless' and succeed in changing the subject, they try to shift their focus of attention. Changing the focus of interest. Now, when our brain makes a decision, a network operates in the brain. A 'do-don't do', 'appropriate-not appropriate' network. For people who reach the point of obsessive-compulsive disorder, if the pathways in the brain are normally like a path, those people's brain pathways now resemble highways. It has developed from constantly using that thought. At this point, drug treatment is required. In these situations, a person needs to use the network in their brain correctly. In other words, it is necessary to train the decision-making mechanism in the brain.” he stated.
“There is no life with zero problems…”
Stating that anxiety increases with the deterioration of psychological integrity, Tarhan said; “When our physical integrity is disturbed, we feel pain. Similarly, when psychological integrity is disturbed, a person feels anxiety. Inner distress, anxiety, depression, depressive states… For example, a depressive state can last for about three days. That is not called an illness. The person resolves it in some way and feels relieved. If it cannot be corrected within 15 days, treatment is started. Otherwise, there is no life with zero problems. This would be pleasant, but it is not possible. Just as there are situations that disturb our physical integrity, there are also events that disturb our psychological integrity.” he stated.
When one distinguishes between pleasure happiness and meaning happiness, they can achieve happiness in this world…
Stating that modernism presents the pursuit of pleasure as an ego ideal, Tarhan said; “Modernism recommends pleasure-orientation. It presents the pursuit of pleasure, the ego, as an ideal. This pleasure includes, for example, wealth, fame, money, applause. These are the pleasures of narcissism, of egotism (enaniyet). The brain produces dopamine from these. When dopamine runs out, it wants it again. Aristotle calls this pleasure happiness, hedonic happiness. For the second type of happiness, he calls it eudaimonic happiness. This is meaning happiness. A person becomes happy if they pursue a great idea, an ideal. He calls that happiness meaning happiness. That meaning happiness occurs in people who will labor and tire themselves for it. The brains of those people secrete serotonin. Serotonin is also a happiness hormone. That hormone is not cut off. While going there, one says 'I must endure this', managing the chemical capacity in the brain well. When a person distinguishes between pleasure happiness and meaning happiness, they can achieve happiness in this world.” he stated.