Positivism, Said Nursi and The Kurds

Positivism arose under specific conditions in France during nineteenth century, greatly affecting the philosophical thought of many Ottoman intellectuals. Many of intellectuals lived in exile because of policies carried out by Sultan Abdulhamid and came into close contact with positivism in France. These intellectuals believed that positivism could solve the problems that Ottoman society faced. They tried to adapt positivism to the specific conditions of their own society. The Kurdish Muslim scholar, Said Nursi also, learned about and keep with the thoughts, both in his hometown Bitlis, and in İstanbul. This paper claims that Said Nursi was intrigued by positivism. In this context, he presumed that Kurdish people should move ahead in social order and progress through education, which would make increase their welfare and happiness