New Definitions Of Identity And The Reality Of Europe

This study is about the European identity definitions, European identities’ background and Turkey’s possible contributions to the European identity. On this study, we put that European identity is a reactive definition to the “other” because of its historical and intellectual background. We argued that this background of the modern European values. After that we discussed Turkish identities’ characteristics and found that it is an active definition arisen from its own internal values those based on Islamic mysticism. Because of that, Turkish society is tolerant and respectful to the other nations, ethnicities, religions and whole mankind even whole universe. This understanding results from Turkish societies’ historical background and strong social structure. Due to the mystic life perceptions Turkish society can make positive contributions to the European identity and modern European values as human rights, freedom, democracy etc