Erzurumlu İbrahim Hakkı's understanding of information

This thesis examines the understanding of knowledge of Erzurumlu İbrâhim Hakkı (1703–1780), one of the prominent figures of the 18th-century Ottoman intellectual tradition, known as a Sufi, scholar, philosopher, and poet. The aim of the study is not only to evaluate İbrâhim Hakkı's views on knowledge from a purely Sufi perspective but also to address them within an epistemological framework, thereby providing a comprehensive portrayal of his intellectual world. In this respect, the study seeks to offer a broader perspective than the existing literature, which predominantly focuses on the concepts of maʿrifa and ʿirfān in analyzing İbrâhim Hakkı's understanding of knowledge. The primary sources of this research are İbrâhim Hakkı's works Dîvân, Mârifetnâme, İrfâniyye, İnsâniyye, and Mecmûatü'l-meʿânî, which have been examined both in their original manuscripts and modern editions. In addition, relevant academic studies have been consulted to support the analysis of his epistemological views. Particularly, the "Tertîbü'l-ʿulûm" section in Mecmûatü'l-meʿânî and his reflections on education and instruction were decisive in identifying his systematic approach to the classification of knowledge, sources of knowledge, and the purpose of knowledge. Adopting a text-centered analytical method, this study situates İbrâhim Hakkı's understanding of knowledge within its historical and philosophical context, bringing to light not only its Sufi dimension but also its philosophical, ethical, and scientific aspects. Ultimately, the research aims to make an original contribution to the literature of Islamic philosophy and Ottoman intellectual history, particularly in the field of epistemology.