The owl was originally associated with Athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology. Over time, it was also associated with Athens and later with the Roman goddess Minerva. The Athena owl thus became a symbol of wisdom. Today, the expression “wise as an owl” remains popular, reflecting the enduring cultural association between owls […]
Author: Umut KARAGÖZ
Merlon Fallacy
The Merlon Fallacy refers to the misinterpretation of one’s natural curiosity and interest in knowledge as a defining aspect of one’s personality. Individuals experiencing the Merlon Fallacy may become overly absorbed in the pursuit of encyclopedic, theoretical knowledge, believing that this pursuit alone defines their character or intellectual identity. This excessive immersion in theory can […]
A study of the Mongols before Genghis Khan reveals that they were a nomadic people who lived in the steppes of Central Asia
Following numerous frigid nights and a considerable distance, the party arrives at a Chinese city bearing a gift for Ambaghai Khan, the ruler of a nomadic confederation hailing from the desolate northern region. Beyond the city gates of Zhongdu, the capital of the Jurchen Jin Dynasty, the prisoner is escorted through streets where curious onlookers […]
Lapse vs. Relapse
Relapse and lapse are terms used to describe setbacks in recovery from addiction, but they represent different levels of severity and impact. Here’s a summary of the differences: Relapse Definition: A relapse is a full-blown return to addictive behaviors in which finding and using alcohol or other drugs again becomes a priority. Behavior: It manifests […]
The Rise of the Poor Radicals
One of the rising forces in the world is the radical right. Do you know why they call it “radical”? It’s to marginalize them. The word “radical” inherently means extreme, so it accuses all the patterns of behavior that humans have carried through a million years of history of extremism. If there’s anything truly extreme, […]
Existentialism
As you may know, philosophy revolves around dialectics: presenting an idea and then responding to it. Plato and Aristotle believed that everything, including human beings, has an essence – a core set of properties essential to its identity. This essentialism persisted until the late 19th century, when thinkers such as Nietzsche challenged the idea, paving […]
Internist Joseph Pratt
In July 1905, Internist Joseph Pratt unwittingly established the foundations of group psychotherapy by conducting educational sessions on hygiene and incorporating inspirational religious readings for tuberculosis patients. Pratt initially attributed the observed improvement in patients’ health to the medical information provided, but patients themselves attributed their recovery to the emotional support and hope gained through […]
Determinism
In a broad sense, determinism is a theory or doctrine that suggests that occurrences of natural, social, or psychological phenomena and acts of the will are causally determined by preceding events or natural laws. In other words, determinism posits that all events, whether involving inanimate matter or conscious beings like humans, are influenced by previous […]
Oedipus
When Oedipus was born to King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes, a prophet foretold that the child would grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. To prevent such an unfortunate outcome, King Laius, in a moment of sorrow, ordered one of his servants to take the baby away to a hilltop. […]
The Psychological Impact of the Mongol Conquest on Baghdad
This event is perhaps one of the most discussed topics in Islamic geography. The Mongol invasion (to Baghdad) is considered to have marked the end of an era in the Islamic world. Although some historians (Ilber Ortaylı) claim that this is exaggerated, it is generally agreed that the course of history was changed. Historically speaking, […]