CYCLICAL–SITUATIONAL TEMPORALITY IN THE TURKISH UNDERSTANDING OF TIME AND MODERNITY

Abstract

The article offers analysis of the relationship between the Turkish people’s understanding of Time and their philosophy of social self-organization and state-building. In this context, “modernity” is interpreted as a reality shaped in every historical period through the Turks’ attainment of harmony with the world. It is emphasized here that the Turks were historically able to optimize the ratio between temporal cyclicity and dynamic situational temporality. This is tied to the Turks’ preference for living according to the formula society–nature–world. Hence, modernity for the Turks is a reality shaped in the triad of past–present–future within the harmony of the world. Turkish societies have preserved these characteristics into the 21st century. Here, a synergetic methodology is applied in the historical context of Time, prioritizing the methodological principles of synergetic social formation and dynamic integration. System analysis is used as the primary method. The main conclusion is, as follows: Since ancient times, the Turks have possessed a unique understanding of Time. As a society, they have formed within this framework. Their philosophy of state-building developed in accordance with this reality. Harmony between social formation and the philosophy of state-building was established on the basis of the interplay between cyclical temporality and situational temporality.