A qualitative research on Nurettin Topçu's westernization / modernization thought in the context of Turkish modernization

Nurettin Topçu, one of the most important and leading philosophers in the history of Turkish thought, has grounded his unique viewpoints on deep philosophical point of view. In 1939, he started to publish the 'Journal of Movement'. He published 187 issues with the title 'The Journal of Movement in Opinion and Art' in 1939. His philosophy of action depended on 'ethic revolt' and he is today perceived as a moral philosopher. After his death in 1975, The Journal of Movement continued to be published in different periods for a while, and the last issue was published in 1982, after a 43-year publication period. In this study, besides the general perception of the nationalist and conservative discourse in the history of Turkish thought, Topçu's ideas on modernization and westernization are being emphasized and discussed in depth. He believed in the necessity of Renaissance Revival in Anatolia. Accordingly, along with modernization in religious thought and centralization of philosophical thought, Topçu believed that there is and should be a new approach other than Western European Modernization. He argued that Turkish society should benefit from European Modernization, as the implication of modernization in Turkish society was problematic at that time. The only and distinctive solution to societal resistance was the reinterpretation of nationalism from an Anatolian, improving, and modernist perspective. Topçu was inspired by Blondel's 'philosophy of movement. In this study, Topçu's thoughts and philosophy are analyzed via the 'Maxqda Qualitative Data Analysis System'. The study covers the period from the first publishing date of the 'Journal of Movement' in 1939 up to 1952; transition to a multi-party political system. His interpretation and criticism of modernization and westernization are re-evaluated. Given that, the possibility of a belated modernization is discussed in the context of nationalist/ conservative/ Anatolian socialism discourse. Topçu was not strictly against modernization. At the same time, he was critical of the implementation of Turkish modernization and the contradictory attitude displayed by religious people.