Mustafa Rahmi Balaban’s Civilization of Human and Divine Emotions

Abstract

Mustafa Rahmi Balaban (1888-1953), despite having an important place in the Turkish intellectual life of the Republican period, is an intellectual who is not sufficiently recognized. He played a key role in the institutionalization of educational and cultural initiatives that began during the late Ottoman period and continued into the Republican era. Throughout his career, he worked in various state institutions, contributing to the intellectual and cultural development of the period. He collaborated with Ziya Gökalp at the Copyright and Translation Office, participated in national education congresses, and represented Turkey at international educational conferences. Balaban attracted attention with his ideas on education, civilization, and society during a time of modernization. He aimed to raise public awareness and promote modernization through his articles published in newspapers and journals. He also engaged in direct dialogue with the public through his work at the İzmir Halkevi. While primarily known as an educator, Balaban’s interests extended beyond pedagogy, as he developed a unique approach the civilization and society.

Having witnessed the Balkan War and both World Wars, Balaban’s views on civilization were deeply influenced by the devastation caused by these conflicts. The destruction and suffering caused by these wars led him to envision a civilization based not only on technical advancement but also on love, solidarity, and spiritual depth. Although he recognized the importance of scientific and technological progress, he believed such development was insufficient on its own for the sustenance of civilization. Balaban argued that civilization must integrate both material and spiritual dimensions. He articulated this view through the concept of a “civilization of human and divine emotion” which emphasizes the union of technical progress with human emotions, moral values, and transcendent principles.

The civilization of human and divine feeling is an understanding of civilization in which technical progress is integrated with feelings, values and spiritual principles. This approach shows that in addition to material development, moral, emotional and spiritual development plays an important role in the construction of civilization. Balaban showed particular interest in the question of civilization during his time. He evaluated the human, divine and emotional aspects of civilization as inseparable parts and brought these three elements together to form a whole. This understanding occupies a unique position both in the civilization discourses of the Republican era and within the context of civilization philosophy.

Citation: Çukurluöz, Özge / Bayraktar, Levent (2025). “Mustafa Rahmi Balaban’s Civilization of Human and Divine Emotions”, Erdem, December, Issue:89, pp. 73-92