Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist – author Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, was a live guest on TRT Haber Radyo’s Kültür Yolu Program. He made important evaluations regarding his book ‘Psychology of Wisdom,’ which was awarded the ‘Golden Author-Book’ Award, and his motivation for writing. Tarhan stated that he writes his books entirely with the aim of protective mental health for society and individuals, and that he does not prefer a didactic language. Tarhan also expressed that he adopts the method “Think like Socrates, narrate like your grandmother.”
“I write books to meet society's needs”
In the live broadcast he attended, author Tarhan made remarkable evaluations about his motivation for writing books, stating that he does not prefer a didactic language in order to be beneficial to humanity. Tarhan said; “When you start writing a book, a person has a goal, society has a need, and you ask yourself how you can produce a solution for that need? You do readings about it, and then, by synthesizing on that topic, you want to create original works that are not repetitions of existing similar books. Instead of didactic books, I particularly tried to focus on subjects that synthesize East and West, combining Anatolian wisdom and our ancient culture with modern life. While doing this, I proceeded with my medical sensitivity. In medicine, there are three pillars: curative medicine, preventive medicine, and protective medicine. For diseases we know how to treat, such as depression and schizophrenia, there are many books and resources. Preventive medicine involves early diagnosis and very important early symptoms related to risk groups. Protective medicine focuses on what can be done to prevent people from getting sick, and studies are carried out in that context. In all my books, I proceeded based on this important third step. It is the most difficult but much-neglected aspect.”
“Think like Socrates, narrate like your grandmother”
Emphasizing that all his works aim for the protective mental health of individuals and society, Tarhan stated that when you write based on societal needs, one does not force oneself to write a literary text. Tarhan continued as follows: “There is a saying; ‘Think like Socrates, narrate like your grandmother.’ I used this method in my works. I tried to make the technical subjects of medicine understandable with simple language and short sentences. I tried to make a striking introduction. Then I tried to establish causal relationships. Finally, I tried to summarize what must be remembered. With this method, we were able to explain complicated subjects in a simple narrative. My writing journey continued in this way once I started with such a principle. Frankly, I did not expect this Golden Pen Award. My works 'Psychology of Wisdom 1-2' are a product of the pandemic period.”
“I thought about how trauma could serve the wisdom of people”
Tarhan stated that during the pandemic, a serious crisis occurred worldwide, and people's physical well-being and comfort were disrupted everywhere, including Turkey. “On one hand, people felt that death was very close. On the other hand, there was a situation of introversion; people were told not to leave their homes. There was an increase in mental illnesses and the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in older individuals. Children started living in isolation. While there were conflicts within some families, positive developments were experienced in others. The pandemic was a global trauma. In psychiatry, we use the ‘Post-Traumatic Growth Scale.’ When someone experiences trauma, we turn it into a ‘developing trauma.’ Every trauma has an opportunity and a threat dimension. By addressing these dimensions of trauma, I thought about how this experienced trauma could serve the wisdom of humanity. As Üsküdar University in Turkey, we conducted a study on this. After applying the Post-Traumatic Trauma Scale to society, we encountered very interesting results. For example, we saw that individuals gained wisdom values, such as ‘I improved my relationships with my loved ones,’ ‘I started to appreciate what I have,’ and ‘I started to give importance to such small spiritual values.’” he said.
“The first book of the 'Psychology of Wisdom' work contains assertive titles”
Tarhan also made evaluations regarding his "Psychology of Wisdom" works, which were awarded the Golden Pen, stating that he wrote about some controversial topics. Tarhan stated that some generally accepted Western-sourced assumptions are now being questioned; "The first book of the 'Psychology of Wisdom' work contains assertive titles. For example, there were 2 subheadings; 'Spinoza's Fallacy and the Evolution of Evolution.' Spinoza, as you know, is one of the Enlightenment philosophers. In the 1500s-1600s, at that time, along with the great Descartes, Spinoza was one of several Enlightenment philosophers. Spinoza says: 'Do not look for God in the sky, God is nature.' When Einstein was asked if he believed in God, he said: 'I believe in Spinoza's God.' This is to accept nature as nature. This is a serious matter, and I expressed it as 'Spinoza's Fallacy.' Because after Quantum, it was understood that what we call nature is a very small thing, like a dot in the vast universe. The entire universe exists. The entire universe is currently a design. There is an unknown universe, there is dark matter right now. The belief in monotheism, which is in our belief system, is the closest belief system to reason. For example, currently in Arizona, by some court decisions, intelligent design courses are now being offered as an alternative to evolution courses. In fact, this is the evolution of evolution. Those who advocate for evolution need to 'evolve' evolution after quantum. The existence of an external intelligence, a high external power, is understood. I tried to say this in the first book.” he said.