Erol Güngör

Erol Güngör (Born Nov. 25 1938 in Kırşehir- Died 1983) was a Turkish social psychologist and writer.[1] His work focused on the socially derived nature of language, morality, and values.[1][2] Güngör wrote extensively on nationalism and culture at a time when Turkey was attempting to develop a national democratic identity.[1]

Early life and education

Born in Central Anatolia, Turkey, Güngör first attended Istanbul University as a law student in 1956.[1] However, after meeting his mentor Mumtaz Tarhan, Güngör switched to psychology.[1] He eventually received his PhD in experimental psychology in 1965 after writing a dissertation titled "Kelami Yapılarda Estetik Organizasyon" (or "Aesthetic Organization in Verbal Structures"), which focused on the aesthetic influence of language outside of reason or function.[1]

From 1966 to 1967, Güngör conducted research at the University of Colorado, Boulder under the Fulbright visiting scholar program.[1][3] At Boulder, his research focused on how connotative differences in the meaning of words can lead to a conflict between individuals.[4]

In 1971, Güngör returned to Istanbul University to become an assistant professor in experimental psychology.[citation needed] By 1978, he had become a full professor as well the Experimental Psychology Chair, teaching social psychology throughout his tenure.[1] In 1982, he left the University of Istanbul to be the founding rector of Selçuk University in Konya where he would pass away from a sudden heart attack a year into his new role.[1]

Political and social influence

Most of Güngör's influence comes form his writings about a modern Turkish national culture at time when Turkey was attempting to find its identity after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.[1][2] Güngör proposed a dynamic definition of morality that is balanced between society and the individual, and whose balance serves to help one another.[2] He argued the laws of society and morality of the individual should be as close as possible for a peaceful society, for they reflect shared values that establish emotions and discernment.[2]

Güngör also focused on the intersection of globalization and traditional Islamic Turkish values, believing that a modern Turkish society did not have to reject cultural values.[citation needed] Güngör criticized his mentor Mumtaz Tarhan as too conservative and rigid, arguing Turkey needed to modernize in a way that promoted both democracy and Turkish culture.[citation needed] Güngör recognized culture is ever changing while also arguing some Turkish scholars were beginning to criticize their own background.[citation needed] While the contemporary Turkish government attempts to situate Güngör as a conservative Islamic scholar, Güngör argued for a society that embraced both Islamic culture and democracy.[1]

Selected work

  • Güngör, Erol (1968). "The Role of Differential Connotations in Interpersonal Conflict"[4]
  • Güngör, Erol (1995). Türk kültürü ve milliyetçilik [5]
  • Dünden Bugüne Tarih Kültür ve Milliyetçilik (Ötüken Neşriyat, Istanbul, 2020)[6]
  • Islam'ın Bugünkü Meseleleri (Ötüken Neşriyat, Istanbul, 1998)[7]
  • Islam Tasavvufunun Meseleleri (Ötüken Neşriyat, Istanbul, 2000)[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Arslanbenzer, Hakan (2014-11-22). "Erol Güngör: Culture instead of politics". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  2. ^ a b c d Enes KALA, Muhammet (2018-01-01). "Ahlakın Tezahür Etme Halleri -Erol Güngör Üzerinden Çözümleme Denemesi-". Journal of Turkish Studies. 13 (10): 399–416. doi:10.7827/turkishstudies.13572. ISSN 1308-2140.
  3. ^ "Erol Gungor | Fulbright Scholar Program". fulbrightscholars.org. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  4. ^ a b Güngör, Erol (1968). "THE ROLE OF DIFFERENTIAL CONNOTATIONS IN INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT". University of Colorado, Boulder.
  5. ^ Güngör, Erol (1995). Türk kültürü ve milliyetçilik (11. basım ed.). İstanbul: Ötüken. ISBN 975-437-036-2. OCLC 45052287.
  6. ^ Gungor, Erol (2020). History, Culture and Nationalism from Yesterday to Today. Yer -Su Publications. ISBN 978-6058105126.
  7. ^ Gungor, Erol (1998). Contemporary Issues of Islam. Istanbul: Otuken.
  8. ^ Gungor, Erol (2000). Islam Tasavvufunun Meseleleri. Istanbul: Otuken. ISBN 978-9754370423.