In the first sessions of the “Post-Doc Seminars” series initiated by Near East University for researchers who have completed their doctorates, he addressed the subjects of “Reformation, Secularization and Secularism” and “Craft and Art”. Within the scope of the seminar series, sociologist and author Prof. Dr. Besim Dellaloğlu examined the processes of social and cultural transformation with the participants.
The seminars carried out by Near East University DESAM Research Institute were moderated by Near East University Rector Advisor and Near East University DESAM Institute Board Member Prof. Dr. Murat Sayan.
Prof. Dr. Besim Dellaloğlu will continue to examine the 30 concepts he included in his book titled “Poetics and Politics-A Cultural Studies Encyclopedia” in seminars he will give with participants at Near East University.
In the formation of belief systems; concepts of reformation, secularization and secularism…
In his conference titled “Reformation, Secularization and Secularism”, Prof. Dr. Besim Dellaloğlu stated that these concepts are important concepts in the formation of social structures and belief systems of individuals. Emphasizing that these concepts have gained different meanings in historical processes, Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu said, “This process is associated with the increase in religious diversity of societies with the transition from the feudal system to industrialization.”
Stating that secularism means the neutralization of the state against religion, Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu underlined that a state that hosts multiple belief systems has the responsibility of managing religious formation in the national education system. Stating that the concepts of secularization and secularism have developed in parallel to each other, Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu also touched on the characteristics that should and should not be present in secular states. Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu said, “Secularism is a concept that is directed at the state and the public sphere; it is not an individual belief.” Stating that the state should remain neutral towards beliefs and provide equal service to each individual, Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu said, “Ensuring secularism in the field of education is also important within this framework. Thinking about how these concepts operate today is of critical importance in terms of understanding social dynamics.”
He addressed the historical transformation of craft and art with examples!
In his seminar titled “Craft and Art,” Prof. Dr. Besim Dellaloğlu addressed the historical development of the concept of aesthetics and examined the fine line between art and craft. Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu stated that aesthetics started as a sensory concept but is currently used to define the field of art. Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu, who also examined the concepts of ‘skill and creativity’ in his presentation, addressed the historical transformation of art with examples. Giving examples of artists from the past and present, Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu touched upon the different dynamics of producing art under the influence of populist approaches and the market in the modern art world. Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu said, “We have witnessed that the relational network between production and consumption has changed significantly over time.” In this context, Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu stated that with the establishment of the aesthetic art regime, artistry began to take shape as a pre-production process and expressed that this transformation redefined the relationship between the market and the artist. Stating that creativity includes art, Prof. Dr. Dellaloğlu said, “The craftsman is an interpreter, not a creator. Creativity can be a risky concept because it represents ‘creation from nothing’, a power that was attributed only to God in the past.”