A research on some compilation of psychologial books before rebuplic in Turkey

Since the 19th century in west, the psychology began being an independent science branch which seperated from philosophy attracted the Ottoman intellectuals and with their contributions, it has become a systematical science. Psychology, in terms of the issues it deals, is not unfamiliar with the Ottoman science and cultural tradition. With this advantage, it completed its scientific development comparatively in a rapid way and located in science area.The psychology, influencing deeply the theory and practise of many disciplines especially education, has carried out this effect via the coursebooks.As the reflection of that, at the stated period, it has known that lots of books were published in the Ottoman. The unknown is the fact that the contents in these books are not only belong to the west reference but also reflect the world of the Ottoman science and thoughts on a large scale. The aim of this research is to present a picture to the readers about psychology science related to that period by analysing the books written at that period with the perspective of modern psychology today.Unfortunately, there are too few highly qualified researches about the event, person and works which have contributed to the pscyhology to become an autonomous science in Turkey. In this research, the manner and contents of the four important psychology books written before republic in Turkey have been scrutinized and it is thought that with this an authentic contribution provided to the historical development of the psychology in Turkey. The scrutinized Works are; İlm-i Ahval-i Ruh written by Ali İrfan[Eğriboz] Psiholoji yahut İlm-i Ahval-i Ruh written by Hoca Tahsin, Gayet-ül Beyan fi Hakikat-i İnsan yahut İlm-i Ahval-i Ruh written by Yusuf Kemal Bey, Psikoloji- İlm-i Ahval-i Ruh written by Ahmed Nebil and Baha Tevfik. In this study, the first reflection of the psychology science in Ottoman in the western sense has been investigated. As the result of this understanding began with Tanzimat, in works it has been seeing intensively the west literature, however there are traces of the ancient İslamic science.In this study by using ? Documentary Historical Method?, four books have been scrutinized which written beetween 1878 and 1912. In this research the subject, concept and detection which the works discussed have been compared with today?s psychology books and similarities and differences between them have been emphasized.When the content of the books are observed, it is seen that many concepts and theories which modern psychology are interested in today were known and studied by the intellectuals of that period. Contrary to popular belief, this situation shows that present content of the psychology science in Turkey aren?t completely originating from west, indigenous reference and elements are also available in the discipline and these elements should be transferred to future generations. Because, it was seen that the aforesaid books mentioned many topics in psychological content which are accepted by scientific circles today and in fact, it was seen that some of the works pointed out relevant topics long before western scientists did. It is important, in terms of starting the first efforts concerning psychology from the correct date, to elicit the reality that Ottoman intellectuals have effect on this science thanks to these books in which the concepts and topics originating from west are discussed and synthesized in the context of cultural and theoretical psychology. The present research is also important in that it contributes to review again the knowledge about the historical development of the psychology in Turkey. Key words: Ahmed Nebil, Ali İrfan Eğriboz, Baha Tevfik, Hoca Tahsin, İlm-i Ahval-i Ruh, Psychology in Ottoman, the first psychology books in Turkey, Yusuf Kemal Bey