Organized by the Conscience of the Age Club, the “Existential Conversations with Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan” was held this week, as every week, with the strong participation of students. This week, the topic of 'Philosophy of Existence' was discussed in the program. Tarhan stated that modern humans perceive life as merely worldly existence, and pointed out that humanity has transformed into a being pursuing concrete pleasures.
“After death, we transition to another energy form”
Tarhan stated that after death, life continues by transforming into another energy form beyond matter; “For the world to be just, when the good reach the end of their lives, they must receive the recompense for the good deeds they have done, and the bad must receive the recompense for the bad deeds they have done. Those who believe in a second life after death do so. When faith and mathematics merge, both affirm divine unity. If there is divine unity, then according to the belief in divine unity, worldly life is already a form of existence. After death, we transition to another form of existence. We transition to a different energy band; currently, we are in the energy band called matter in this world. Everything you call matter is oscillation and vibration. As you know, there's a new theory in quantum physics, string theory. According to this string theory, what is called matter is actually a filament. A string is a filament, a magnetic filament. When they come together, according to string theory, matter forms. Matter, what we call matter, is actually composed of energy oscillation and vibration. This matter is a different energy band. After death, we transition to a different energy band, meaning another form of existence. This form of existence is an eternal form of existence according to the belief in divine unity. Death in this world is merely transitioning from life form A to life form B.” he said.
“Achievements are not limited to this world; true success is total success”
Tarhan, commenting on the importance of setting strategic goals for success, stated that success is not limited to worldly life. Tarhan; “To be successful, one sets strategic goals and makes strategic preparations accordingly. If a person's strategic goal is not correct, the small successes they achieve are meaningless. Their successes in this world are unimportant. True success is the success after death; we call this total success. It becomes clear at the end of life. The sense of accountability is our conscience. There is an inner reckoning, and a sense of accountability towards the Creator of life, related to death. A person with accountability does not make big mistakes. Even if they do, they quickly recover. The sense of accountability is particularly equivalent to the sense of responsibility in children. When they come into the world, people see the world this way. They say, 'I take what I want, I do what I want, nobody interferes with me as I please.' That is, seemingly no one interferes. They commit all kinds of evil. They indulge in debauchery, excessive pleasure. And the public does not bother or interfere with them, no punishment is given.” he stated.
“Modern human has become a being pursuing concrete pleasures”
Tarhan stated that modern humans have moved away from their purpose and transformed into beings pursuing concrete pleasures, and pointed out that even the smallest cell in the human body reminds a person of God. Tarhan; “Try to create a cell from scratch. So much effort is put in, so many things are done; there's carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, all present. Bring them together, make a cell. Try to make a cell from scratch; even if you want to make an algae cell, you can't. How can this vast universe be without an artist? How can there not be a creator of cells, a creator of DNA? Where there is design, there is purpose, and where there is purpose, there is certainly an external will. Purposeful behavior exists in humans, and because there is free will, it exists only in humans. It determines purpose and generates abstract thought accordingly. What is needed for abstract thought to produce purpose? The ability for abstract thought does not exist in any other living creature besides humans; only concrete thought exists: eating, drinking, procreating, sheltering. If you look, the current Hollywood philosophy is also eating, drinking, procreating, and sheltering. In fact, what has happened is that we have brought humanity from a level of development to a primitive level. Modern humanity has become a being pursuing concrete pleasures. That is, instead of humans pursuing abstract thought, they have become humans pursuing concrete thought. The consciousness here is living with these pleasures: eating, drinking, procreating, sheltering.” he said.
“Where there is design, there is purpose; where there is purpose, there is an external will”
Tarhan, stating that the universe is a magnificent design; “Initially, they used to say that the world, matter, is eternal and everlasting. When materialism first emerged, they claimed that matter was eternal and everlasting. They thought that sooner or later, a cure for immortality would be found. Later, after the Big Bang emerged thirteen and a half billion years ago, there was a great explosion. They observe a color image of the receding stars through the Hubble Telescope. When observing all planets, including Earth and the Sun, there is an image of movement indicating that the stars are receding in one direction. After that, they calculate this. The first explosion occurred thirteen billion years ago. The universe was independent of time and space. Time and space emerged with that first explosion. Matter emerged with the first explosion. Given that matter had a first explosion, the universe, which we call time and space, is a magnificent design. This design must have a designer, and this universe needs a purpose. If there is a design, if there is a designed work, there is a designer. If there is a designer, there must be a purpose. What is this purpose? You will research the purpose of this world. Meaning and purpose. That’s why they prefer not to discuss the topic of purpose much.” he stated.
“Metacognitive genes are the genes that distinguish humans from other living beings”
Tarhan, commenting on explaining the existence of God and the afterlife through abstract thought, underlined that humans are distinguished from other living beings by their capacity for abstract thinking. Tarhan; “Four metacognitive genes are being researched in humans. One has been found: the novelty-seeking gene. The other three genes are currently being researched. These are metacognitive genes. Metacognitive genes are the genes that distinguish humans from other living beings. Our genes are 95% identical to those of a chimpanzee. The similarity of most chimpanzee and human genes does not indicate that they evolved from each other, but rather that the Creator is one. In fact, if we look at evolution from this perspective, we understand that the Creator is one. They came from the hand of the same master. Because similar methods were applied. It shows they came from a single source. Other genes include the death perception gene. No living creature other than humans knows it will die. Secondly, the time perception gene. No living creature other than humans knows the past and future. They only live in the present moment. Their belly is full, eating, drinking, procreating, and sheltering. Concrete pleasure alone is not what characterizes humans. There is a novelty-seeking gene. There is death perception, an abstract emotion. There is a mental capacity to project to the past and future. These are abstract concepts. Fourthly, there is a search for meaning. There is a treatment technique called meaning-seeking therapy. No living creature other than humans is in search of meaning. These are abstract thoughts. The frontal lobe of the brain is the region where abstract concepts develop. Humans have the ability to think abstractly. First, we need to know what we understand by abstract thought. What we understand by abstract thought is conceptual thinking. Symbolic thinking. The ability to see the unseen through reason, imagination, and contemplation. To see the existence of God means seeing it not with the five senses, but through knowledge, by using one's intellect. Since this world is a world of trial, God could have written 'God is one' in the sky. He did not. Because after death, those who used their intellect and those who did not, those who passed the test and those who did not, will not be the same.” he said.