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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]