Stating that the brain dislikes uncertainty, which leads to fear and anxiety, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan explained, “The brain seeks order, balance, and continuity. It functions comfortably when these exist. To achieve that, it must make sense of events, and it uses symbols to do so. Lack of meaning and purpose disrupts the brain’s orchestra.”
Prof. Tarhan noted that falseness has spread into every area of life and added, “Even people can be fake. This falseness weakens trust, and when trust fades, deep relationships disappear. Where there are no deep relationships, loneliness increases. One of the main reasons for global loneliness is the inconsistency between a person’s inner and outer worlds. The real issue is for a person to live in harmony with themselves.”
President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan discussed the psychological effects of symbols in his program Akla Ziyan with Nevzat Tarhan, broadcast on EKOTÜRK TV.
Symbolic learning is unique to humans
Prof. Tarhan stated that symbolic learning is a model of learning unique to humans. While other living beings are limited to basic physiological needs, humans possess the ability to think abstractly, symbolically, and conceptually. This capacity, he said, has laid the groundwork for the emergence of artificial intelligence through a deeper understanding of how the brain works.
“Artificial intelligence imitates the brain,” he continued. “In fields such as machine learning and deep learning, AI is trying to understand how the brain processes images, creates symbols, and establishes connections of meaning.”
Brain algorithms and social learning
Comparing the brain’s information processing to a layered structure, Prof. Tarhan explained that incoming data is processed in multiple layers such as image, emotion, and fear, and is then transformed into output. He stated that this process operates through algorithms that develop via social learning.
“Humans learn through experiences gained from their surroundings and life. Although a monkey shares 96 percent of its genes with humans, that remaining 4 percent difference prevents it from learning to behave like a human. This difference stems from ‘meta-cognitive’ genes related to abstract concepts such as time, meaning, and death,” he said.
The brain dislikes uncertainty
Reiterating that the brain does not like uncertainty, Prof. Tarhan explained, “Uncertainty causes fear and anxiety. The brain wants order, balance, and continuity. When it has these, it works comfortably. To achieve that, it must interpret events, and it uses symbols to do this. Otherwise, the absence of meaning and purpose disrupts the brain’s orchestra.”
The layered meanings of symbols
Prof. Tarhan emphasized that symbols are the basic elements the brain uses when storing information. “Size, shape, and color are all symbols,” he said. “For instance, the plus sign in mathematics, the color red symbolizing energy, power, and courage, or evoking negative associations such as blood and fire, and the color blue representing peace and infinity or sometimes sadness, all illustrate the multidimensional nature of symbols. The fact that black represents power in some cultures and fear in others is another example.”
The relationship between culture and symbols
Prof. Tarhan explained that the meanings of symbols differ according to cultures, beliefs, and value systems. “Even hand gestures can have different meanings in different cultures. A gesture that means ‘perfect’ in our culture can mean ‘be careful’ in Italy or ‘be patient’ in the Middle East. Religious icons, traffic signs, and emojis are also symbols and can trigger universal reactions. We learn through symbols from childhood, and without them, humanity cannot learn,” he said.
The power of words, language, and concepts
Prof. Tarhan pointed out that words are also symbols. He noted that the Broca area of the brain is responsible for emotional expression, while the Wernicke area is involved in understanding meaning. “The words in our language are symbols,” he said. “The more concepts and words a language has, the more new ideas people can generate. For example, the word ‘heart’ represents both the physical organ and the emotional realm. In Arabic, the word for heart comes from the root ‘inqilab,’ meaning change, which can be seen as a mental representation of the human need for emotional transformation.”
Dream theory and the collective unconscious
Emphasizing that advances in neuroscience require a re-evaluation of how dreams are interpreted, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the dream analyses of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung are much more compatible with neuroscience. He explained that Jung’s description of dreams as a “world of symbols” aligns with the findings of modern neuroscience. Prof. Tarhan underlined that humans are the only beings who possess consciousness and awareness of their existence, saying, “Each individual has a unique consciousness, but beneath it lies a collective unconscious shaped by cultural heritage. Dreams are the space where we experience the symbols of this collective unconscious.” Highlighting that dream interpretations should be personal, he continued, “The meaning of a universal symbol such as water in a dream varies according to the individual’s personality, their personal associations with water, and their cultural background. Therefore, general interpretations found in dream-meaning books can be misleading. Dreams are not meaningless; they represent a higher reality that merges physical reality, imaginative reality, and dream reality.”
Reality testing and its link to schizophrenia
Prof. Tarhan noted that being unable to distinguish between dreams, imagination, and reality can have serious consequences. He explained that the brain’s “reality-testing network” is crucial, and that this network is disrupted in individuals with schizophrenia. “A person may begin to believe in their dreams or fantasies and organize their life accordingly. At the root of schizophrenia lies the inability to differentiate between imagination, dreams, and physical reality. The malfunction of this brain network leads to such conditions,” he said.
The universal language of symbols
Prof. Tarhan pointed out that sound, like color, is a powerful symbol and that music is one of the strongest activators of the brain. “While logical concepts are processed in the left hemisphere, artistic and sound-related concepts are processed in the right hemisphere, and visual concepts in the rear parts of the brain. According to quantum physics, every color has a frequency. The mathematics of color creates different tones, such as black and white. Our sense of sight and light give meaning to everything in the universe,” he explained.
Emphasizing that the human brain constantly interacts with sensory information from the outside world as well as internally generated thoughts and emotions, he said, “Our brain perceives, defines, interprets, and responds to this information. A black-and-white way of thinking, that is, perceiving things as either good or bad, is one of the traits of toxic personalities and leads to rigidity and a lack of empathy.”
Mental economy and social learning
Prof. Tarhan explained that the human brain operates according to the principle of “mental economy,” striving to use information in the most efficient way possible. “While animal brains learn at a primitive level through reward and punishment, humans learn through experience, meaning-making, and interpretation. Reacting to information without asking ‘who said it, what was said, and why’ allows symbols to work against us,” he said.
He added that keeping the brain’s “cache memory” clear is important for avoiding impulsive mistakes and correctly interpreting symbols.
Divine signs
Addressing the question “Is God silent?”, Prof. Tarhan said that humanity’s desire for divine signs represents a search for symbols. He explained that these signs can be interpreted as warnings, good news, or punishment. “If we think of life as an exam, the teacher does not speak during the test. They remain silent to ensure a fair process. In the same way, this world is a transitional phase between the spiritual realm and the physical world,” he said.
Referring to quantum physics and string theory, Prof. Tarhan stated that matter does not actually exist, that everything is energy, and that the universe is composed of magnetic filaments. “In superdeterminism, there are invisible causes behind events in addition to the visible ones. Understanding these hidden causes is possible through the language of symbols. Thinkers such as Ibn Arabi used symbolic language to give deeper meaning to events,” he explained.
Not everyone can see with the ‘eye of the heart’
Prof. Tarhan emphasized that symbols carry divine messages and that a person’s way of assigning meaning to events profoundly shapes their life. Giving an example from Ibn Arabi, he said, “Even an ordinary event such as an ant invasion was interpreted by Ibn Arabi as a lesson in patience, diligence, teamwork, and avoidance of despair. Those who look through this lens can see it, but not everyone can. This is what we call the ‘eye of the heart.’”
Drawing attention to how people assign meaning to illness or life events, he concluded, “If a person says ‘I did not deserve this, why did it happen to me?’ or blames the past with ‘I wish I hadn’t done that,’ they amplify the event and suffer more. In life, not everything goes as planned. The human mind can only choose and observe; what happens afterward is beyond our control.”
The sense of control and radical acceptance
Emphasizing that people have unlimited desires but limited power, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan explained that when the sense of control turns into a desire to control the future, life, or nature, it can lead to problems such as high blood pressure.
Prof. Tarhan pointed out the importance of radical acceptance in such situations and said, “When a person does their best and then leaves control to divine will, they find peace. This is what we call tawakkul. It is not laziness or passivity but the ability to surrender after fulfilling one’s responsibilities.”
Human beings have free will within the limits of their genes
Prof. Tarhan emphasized that the idea that everything is predetermined does not eliminate human free will. “A person has free will within the limits set by their genes. Humans have the ability to make sense of events and to think abstractly. When an idea arises, we interpret it, make a choice, and then become mere observers. According to quantum physics, we do not control events; we only make choices,” he said.
He also noted that inspiration requires mental effort and dedication. “When Archimedes was thinking hard about how to determine whether the king’s crown was made of real gold, inspiration struck, and he ran out of the bath shouting ‘Eureka!’ Inspiration is the result of mental struggle,” he said.
The healing power of stones and meditation
Prof. Tarhan stated that stones, like colors, have their own frequency and vibration. He said that stones such as amethyst and amber have spiritual significance and calming effects. “Just as holding an amethyst stone can relieve a person’s anxiety, such cultural beliefs should be verified through scientific research rather than dismissed as nonsense,” he added.
He suggested that people can choose a personal symbol of comfort and use it as part of practices like hypnotherapy or mantras in yoga. “To trigger the secretion of happiness hormones in the brain, three elements must come together: movement, music, and symbolic repetition. Mevlana’s Sema meditation is based on this methodology. Through rhythm therapy, which follows similar principles, the brain relaxes,” he explained.
Music also carries symbolic meaning
Prof. Tarhan stated that music carries symbolic meanings and affects individuals differently depending on the meanings they attach to it. He said that while some types of music evoke anger and aggression, others have a calming effect.
He explained that human personality (persona) consists of one-third genetics, one-third social learning, and one-third personal choices. “A person with the ability to think symbolically, semantically, and conceptually can influence the other two aspects of their personality. By assigning new meanings, setting new goals, and developing new methods, one can shape their personality in a positive direction,” he said.
One of the main causes of global loneliness is falseness
Prof. Tarhan concluded his remarks by noting that falseness has spread into every area of life: “Even people can be fake. This falseness weakens trust, and when trust fades, deep relationships disappear. Where deep relationships do not exist, loneliness increases. One of the main causes of global loneliness is the inconsistency between a person’s inner and outer worlds. The most important point in human relationships is achieving harmony between one’s inner self and outer appearance. Saying ‘I have a pure heart’ is not enough; external behavior must also reflect this harmony. Such individuals can form long-term relationships. Their inner peace radiates outward as a positive energy. People naturally feel respect and affection for them and are drawn to their presence. Even if established systems resist them, society ultimately embraces such individuals. Throughout history, people like these have been transformative figures who left lasting legacies. Those who pretend or act insincerely, however, lose in the long run. If a person’s face sells vinegar, no one will buy honey from their hands. The essence of the matter is for a person’s inner and outer selves to be in harmony and to live at peace with themselves.”