Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
The 4th Annual Conference on Eurasian Politics and Society, İstanbul, Türkiye, 01 Temmuz 2017
THE NEW GHETTOS: CONCEPTS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
Abstract
Analyzing the development of social
sciences in the Western thought, it is striking that these sciences have a
value-laden characteristic in itself rather than being just factual studies.
Philosophical roots of western originated social sciences should be examined,
since social sciences of western origin go beyond studying the visible aspects
of cases. Accordingly, it can be stated that terminological construction in
social sciences constitutes the way of conveying the political (view) to the
social (imagination). Identifying the concepts produced in political science,
international relations, sociology, history and geography is the most
appropriate way to trace back this construction.
Even though being value-based is
inherent to the social sciences, a reading without considering this
characteristic results in some misinterpretatitons. The terminological
constructions which have been affecting whole Muslims living in various regions
of the world demonstrate the leading aspect of the social sciences. Therefore,
in this research, firstly, the historical background of some concepts and
identifications (such as Islamophobia and Middle East) which are widely-used
within the context of Islam and Muslims in the social sciences will be
analyzed. Secondly, it will be exemplified that these constructed concepts
result in intellectual occupations which are more effective than territorial
occupations, and that by means of invisible borders, they limit the living space
of Muslims, and so, they establish “conceptual ghettos”. Consequently, it will
be presented that identifying the concepts about Islam, Islamic thought and
Muslims in the Western social science studies is a cornerstone to inquire into
the Western thoughts about Islam as a religion, thought or life style.