45. Hilmi Ziya Ülken: Ethics of Love
A Sourcebook in Global Philosophy - Mohammed Rustom
Taraneh Wilkinson [+]
PhD candidate, University of Cincinnati
Recep Alpyağıl [+]
Istanbul University
Description
Hilmi Ziya Ülken (d. 1974 CE) was a Turkish philosopher influential in shaping academic discussions of philosophy and theology in the early Turkish Republic. This chapter provides a translated excerpt from Hilmi Ziya Ülken’s most famous work, Ethics of Love: A Book for the People in Spite of the People (published in 1931, 1958, and 1971). Meant for a broad audience, the work lays out the ethical implications of living out Ülken’s philosophy of monopluralism. According to Ülken, there are four levels of moral development, the highest of which is manifest in his ethics of love. An ethics of love is distinguished by its simultaneous emphasis on self-sacrifice and authenticity. One who aspires to an ethics of love must exhibit a strong sense of efficacy on the world, grounded in their own authentic passions, what Ülken refers to as love of influence. At the same time, they must learn the art of self-transcendence and ultimate sacrifice. To merge these two seemingly incompatible ends, Ülken points to the Infinite as the driving force and guiding principle of the spirit’s development in the world and in each human person. Ülken's use of the Infinite is informed by religious concepts, including the Islamic concept of Divine Unity (tawhid), as well as ideals from Christianity and other major traditions. According to Ülken, seeing and seeking the Infinite or Divine Unity in all things is precisely what creates space to celebrate the difference and plurality inherent to the finite world, and seeking the Infinite in all things is what it takes to cultivate one’s true humanity.