The insights from our conversation with Prof. Dr. Ayhan Bıçak serve as a guiding light for researchers of Turkish thought. Born in Erzincan in 1956, Prof. Dr. Ayhan Bıçak completed his undergraduate degree in the Department of Philosophy at Istanbul University in 1982. In 1985, he earned his master’s degree with his thesis “Aristotle’s Understanding of Man, Society, and History.” He became a research assistant in the same department in 1991, an assistant professor in 1995, an associate professor in 1996, and a full professor in 2007. His research focuses on the philosophy of history, Turkish thought, and the history of philosophy. He has authored significant works such as Turkish Thought 1&2, Philosophy of History, Cosmic Perception: Knowing Oneself or Creating the Universe, Metaphysics of History, The Reality and Critique of Philosophy in Turkey, and Philosophical Studies on Kutadgu Bilig.
Ayhan Bıçak’s Academic Approach
Professor Bıçak conducts his lectures with a historical depth rooted in an anthropological background. His talks prominently feature an interdisciplinary approach, particularly emphasizing history and politics. It can even be said that he engages in comparative and applied philosophy. In the media, he is known for his humble stance on knowledge-related topics, his approach of embracing “not knowing” as a foundation, his emphasis on his personal views and beliefs when they are present, and his encouragement of dialectical discussions. Professor Ayhan has habits such as “demanding original thoughts, disliking the mere repetition of his own words, and encouraging others to challenge him.” He does not shy away from examining the practical applications and challenges of the ideas he addresses in the context of Turkey. Just as he critiques himself, Bıçak has also consistently criticized Turkey on various issues. He has always pointed out the neglect of institutional independence in Turkey, the shortcomings in Turkish historiography, and the flaws of philosophers in Turkey.
Bıçak does not shy away from testing and applying the ideas that he examines to Turkey’s context. Just as he critiques himself, he has consistently criticized Türkiye on various matters, including the neglect of institutional independence, the deficiencies in Turkish historiography, and the shortcomings of philosophers in Türkiye.
Views on Turkish Identity and Historical Consciousness
Ayhan Bıçak deeply explores the dialectical relationship between Turkish identity and historical consciousness. To reveal the unique structure of Turkish thought, he highlights the impact of philosophy on societal transformations and adopts a critical stance toward the underdevelopment of the philosophical tradition in Turkey. In this regard, he questions the place of philosophy in the academic world and argues that it should be examined within a broader intellectual and scientific framework.
The Orkhon Inscriptions and the History of Turkish Thought
In his works, Bıçak emphasizes the role of the Orkhon Inscriptions in shaping political consciousness, as well as the contributions of intellectual figures like Yunus Emre and Aşık Paşa to cultural and philosophical heritage. He frequently points out the existence of a complex social state in the Orkhon Inscriptions and profound political thought in the works of Yunus Emre and Aşık Paşa.
In this context, he meticulously examines the evolution of Turkish identity in both pre-Islamic and Islamic periods, suggesting that historical issues should be revisited in a way that sheds light on contemporary problems. While analyzing the interactions between Islamic values and Turkish cultural identity, he elaborates on the transformative and constructive role philosophy can play in this relationship. However, he also asserts that the intellectual developments between the Orkhon Inscriptions and Kutadgu Bilig should be classified as wisdom rather than philosophy. According to him, these reflections are philosophical in nature, but they do not constitute philosophy in its strictest sense.
Islamic Thought and Philosophical Criticism
Bıçak argues that Islamic thought has become trapped in historical dogmatism and that overcoming this requires adopting a modern philosophical approach. He asserts that philosophical thinking is not merely a speculative activity but plays a crucial role in shaping social consciousness through linguists, literary figures, and intellectuals. He emphasizes that critical thinking is not only essential for individual intellectual development but is also a key factor in triggering a broader societal enlightenment process.
The Reconstruction of Philosophical Thought
His works highlight the need for a fundamental restructuring of Turkish philosophical thought. Rather than indulging in nostalgic idealism about the past, he advocates for the reevaluation of historical facts through a critical and analytical perspective. In response to the modern world and technological transformations, he argues that philosophy should function not just as a theoretical discipline but as a guiding force in social change.
Critique of the Relationship Between Science and Philosophy
Bıçak also problematizes the relationship between philosophy and science. He asserts that academic philosophy in Turkey is underdeveloped, that philosophers fail to fulfill their intellectual responsibilities, and that philosophical education should be established on a more critical and inquisitive foundation. He criticizes academic philosophy for being trapped in theoretical blindness and suggests that this can only be overcome if individuals build their own systems of thought.
The Importance of the Philosophy of History
According to Bıçak, the philosophy of history is a fundamental methodological tool for individuals and societies to understand their existential contexts, origins, and purposes. Historical knowledge should not be treated merely as an academic discipline but should also be seen as a practical field for addressing societal issues. Considering the decisive role of history in identity formation, he argues that it should be reinterpreted through a philosophical lens.
Bıçak proposes that for the development of philosophical thought in Turkey, critical reasoning should be promoted, academic philosophical thought should be institutionally and methodologically strengthened, and the relationship between historical consciousness and identity should be examined in greater depth. His view that future generations should be actively involved in philosophical discussions stands as one of the cornerstones of his intellectual and academic legacy.
Views on Justice and the World State
In most of his seminars, Bıçak’s ultimate focus on how to establish a world state is a product of his holistic and profound thinking. He has sought to find examples of truly just individuals in human history, but he has argued that as long as different interest groups exist, achieving justice is difficult—especially when separate political structures are present, making the establishment of justice impossible.
However, justice cannot be ensured merely by unifying under a single political framework; economic structures that support justice through common denominators must also be established.
Conclusion
As humanity, we must first cultivate moral individuals and establish a strong legal foundation. Only with faith in this system can we build justice. Our ideal model of human development should be one in which individuals engage in self-discovery, independent thought, and philosophical reasoning.
Anyone who examines Ayhan Bıçak’s body of work may initially perceive him as a historian of Turkish thought, as his works focus on Turkish philosophy, the philosophy of history, and the foundations of philosophy. However, in reality, he is a true philosopher who actively practices what he advocates in most of his works and strives to produce the philosophy that society needs.
As a philosopher who aims to improve his surroundings, Ayhan Bıçak is compelled to produce works that provide healing for his intellectual environment. Every reader will recognize that his works on Turkish thought are underpinned by an unending philosophical inquiry.
