Author: Umut KARAGÖZ

Character Analysis: Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings)

Gandalf is a character in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit novels, and also appears in The Silmarillion and throughout J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium. He is one of the main characters and one of the five Istari (wizards) sent to fight Sauron, being the last of them to arrive. Introduction Gandalf, the character created […]

What is the Merlon Dilemma?

The Merlon Dilemma The Merlon Dilemma refers to a critical juncture in the life of a Merlon character where their dependence on objects and knowledge reaches a breaking point. Merlons constantly process objects (representing knowledge and information) through their thought systems. This continuous interaction is crucial for their mental productivity and sense of stability. However, […]

Symbol of Merlon: Owl

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]