THE RELIGIOUS AND MORAL VIEWS OF AHMET ŞUAYB, AN İNTELLECTUAL OF THE LATE OTTOMAN ERA

Ahmet Şuayb, who lived in the late era of the Ottoman State, had an ideological structure favoring Positivist Approach, which was the case in many intellectuals of the period. However, when his works are examined it is observed that he considered that religion was the most important element for a society, and had a belief that societies could only reach the salvation by raising generations who have good ethical values and who are healthy. A. Şuayb, whom we observe as being devoted not only to religion but also to religious institutions, reveal a different identity with this approach. Şuayb emphasized that Islam had a freedom concept far from fanaticism, and expressed that Christianity as a strict religion was the obstacle for science. It is possible to claim that one of the reasons of Şuayb being not against religion and religious institutions was due to Islam's giving importance to science and freedom. According to the Positivist Understanding, religion is considered as the biggest obstacle on the way to development. Is this really the reason for being fallen back? Is it possible that a man can be both a positivist and religious person? Or is this a contradiction? In this case, what kind of a spiritual situation is Şuayb in. This context, this study aims to reveal Şuayb's specific method including the religion and ethical values together with a Positivist Approach.