Journal Name:
- European Journal of Economic and Political Studies
Key Words:
| Author Name | University of Author |
|---|---|
Abstract (2. Language):
Habermas’s theory of communicative rationality includes an argument called
universal pragmatics, which human beings possess the communicative competence to
bring about “mutual” understanding. Habermas, as a believer in dialogue, is an
optimist who criticizes the Frankfurt School and postmodernist thought for excessive
pessimism. In Turkish Muslim scholar Fethullah Gülen’s thought and praxis, a similar
belief in mutual understanding, dialogue and optimism, in contrast to the Islamists’
pessimism, is conspicuous. Gülen’s optimism and belief in dialogue, coupled with his
intellectual-alim self-confidence, make it easier for him to be a border transgressor.
Gülen holds an inclusive, universalist and transcending Islamic conception. Gülen’s
theology of peace is based on the integrity of the individual regardless of ethnic or
religious background and approach to peacebuilding, therefore, is one of “bottom-up”
social change. In Gülen’s worldview, there are three major enemies of not only
Muslims, but also humanity as a whole: ignorance, poverty and disunity. His pluralistic,
inclusivist and peacebuilding ideas have enabled the Gülen Movement to successfully
turn its moral, spiritual, intellectual, financial and human resources into effective social
capital and utilized this social capital in establishing educational institutions from
primary school to university levels in more than 120 countries. The movement’s stance
toward pluralism, diversity, tolerance, acceptance, civil society, secularism and
democracy shows that the movement generates a bridging social capital, extremely
helpful for peacebuilding and establishing sustainable peace.
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