H Ulken.

Background

Ulken., H was born in 1901 in Istanbul.

Education

Istanbul University, 1918-1921.

Career

Geography teacher in high school. Professor of Philosophy, Istanbul University, 1944-1971.

Views

Ulken, like his contemporaries, wanted to construct ‘an original Turkish philosophy' through the synthesis of Western philosophy with Islamic thought in order to match the intellectual needs of the newly established Turkish Republic. He was thoroughly eclectic: intellectually at home with both Western and Islamic philosophy. Ulken played an important role in the revival of philosophical studies in Turkey. Many of his works were extensively used as textbooks in philosophy departments in the universities. His ideas exerted a powerful influence on philosophy in post-1960 Turkey.

Interests

• Islamic philosophy; ethics.