What is civilization?

Abstract

We established this institute seven years ago.It’s been seven years and time passes byso fast. Here, in this institute, we introducea new concept: Civilization Studies. This concept isbrand new in Turkey. Outside Turkey, there are likeIslamic Civilization Studies, Near-Eastern Civilizations,African Civilizations, etc. But rarely you findcivilization studies in general. It’s very rare. Usuallyyou have a focus. But here we don’t have a focus.So this institute is dedicated to the study of civilization.There is “cultural studies” but here we havea different approach: Civilization Studies (MedeniyetAraştırmaları). So this brings to mind the pressingquestion: Then, what’s a civilization? It’s the mostimportant question. What is it that we are studying?What is it that we are trying to understand? What’sour subject matter? I’m going to address this chal lenging question. It’s a very challenging questionand many great philosophers, thinkers, scholars, academics,intellectuals addressed this question. I’mhere, in front of you to address this question in thefirst lecture of the first semester. [...]