A moral value is a universally accepted ethical principle that governs the day to day living of life. These principles are important in maintaining unity, harmony and honour between people.

Moral values are usually communal and shared by the public in general, thus if there is no agreement among community members no moral values will be established.

Values are the main compasses of our lives. What you wear, where you live, what you eat, what you do for a living are always affected by the values of the society that we live in. Besides, Values tell us that what we should do and what we shouldn’t. (Robbins, 1993)

Seven advices of MEVLANA

In generosity and helping others, be like a river…

A brief look at the Turkish Cultural Values and as a result of this, Turkish Moral Values.

Values can be evaluated in six groups - Aesthetic - Scientific - Economic - Political - Social - Religious

As any other society, Turkish people have values showing,the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, why to live and why to die.

We can also define Turkish values in six main objects; - FAMILY -EDUCATIONAL - ECONOMICAL - RELIGIOUS - POLITICAL -FREE TIME VALUES

Apart from this, we can group the Turkish Values in two ways, the good ones and the bad ones The good ones are generally; heroism, patriotism, manliness, devoutnes(religiousity), abstemiousity, hospitable, respectful, modesty

Hospitality

Respect

The bad ones are; ignorance, wangler, offensive,superstitious,fanatical,ne glient, cruel, revengeful.

Supersititous

In general; We can evaluate Turkish cultural and moral values in five matters…

Goethe says: One who can not face his history, lives only daily

 Moral values varies from culture to culture and from country to country. Some values can be seem as a positive behaviour, whereas it may seem negative in any other society.

 3- Religion: Religion is one of the social institution that units the society elements like family, morality, love, education and economy. Religion has two functions in society. One is to provide the unity and cooperation in society and the other one is to take place as a social controller.

 4- Language: Language is at the top of the abstract cultural facts and contains the other traditional elements. Because all values are expressed by using language and they are transferred to the next generations and thus to the humanity with education.

 5- Patriotism : It means loving nation and land and protecting them. Patriotism has a special meaning for the Turks, because thousands of soldiers martyrized during the Independence War for the sake of saving the land. The land is holy for Turkish people because martyrdom is to die for the homeland. The martyrdom is the highest place after prophecy according to Islam.

Some cultural traditions of Turkey

Hand- kissing: This is a very old tradition of Turkey. The younger kisses the hand of the older, especially in the religious festivals, such as Sacrifice Bayram and Ramadan Bayram.

When we send off a family member or a friend to do his military service in Turkey, this farewell turns into a display to encourage the soldier nominee.

 Kemençe

Oil wrestlers

Actually, there are millions of different cultural and traditional aspects but the best way to learn about these, is to live them. So I don’t want to take your time anymore. Enjoy your trip in Turkey

Prepared and presented by Volkan AKBIYIK