The Spirituality of Responsibility: Fethullah Gulen and Islamic Thought
Ebook
Turkish Islamic leader Fethullah Gülen offers a distinctive view of responsibility, which is explored here for the first time. Simon Robinson shows how Gülen's writings, influenced by both orthodox Islam and the Sufi tradition, contribute a dynamic, holistic and interactive view of responsibility which locates personal identity, agency and freedom in plural relationships.
The Spirituality of Responsibility also explores the practice of responsibility in Gülen's life and in the Hizmet movement which he founded. Gülen has been at the centre of many controversies, including in his Movement's relationship with the Turkish government. Charting Gülen's response, from the Israeli Gaza blockade through to more recent crises, the book critiques aspects of both this practice and underlying ideas, and argues that responsibility, focused in dialogue and peace-building, is continuing to evolve in the leadership and practice of the movement, providing a challenge to conventional views of governance and responsibility.
This book is an important contribution both to the theological and philosophical debate about responsibility but also to the practice of responsibility focused in creative action, debates in business and contemporary society about responsible governance and enterprise.
An exploration of Turkish Islamic Scholar Fethullah Gulen's view of responsibility and its contribution to theory, value and practice of responsibility.
Provides an example of Islamic thinking and practice which can engage with the core social and corporate issues around responsibility
Offers a systematic distillation of Gulen's views of responsibility, comparing this with other major thinkers such as Levinas, Sacks, Niebur and Jonas
Presents a critique and assessment of Gulen and the Hizmet movement in the light of recent crises in Turkey
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Responsibility in practice: testing the blockade
2. Responsibility
3. Responsibility, agency and the virtues
4. Social and environmental responsibility
5. Responsibility and peacebuilding
6. Responsibility and dialogue
7. Conclusions
Bibliography
Index
This book by Simon Robinson is a distinctive and important contribution to the growing academic literature relating to the Turkish origin Muslim scholar and activist, Fethullah Gülen, and to the Hizmet movement that is inspired by his teaching and practice. Following the latest (July 2016) attempted coup in Turkey and the accusations of responsibility for this that have been levelled at Fethullah Gülen by the current Turkish government and Presidency, many of the themes and contents of this book (although written before these most recent dramatic events and their aftermath) can help to enable the reader to evaluate the kind of approach taken to responsibility that is found in Fethullah Gülen's published work and in the praxis of the Hizmet movement that has inspired so many Muslims, and also engaged with people of other religions and none throughout the world. From that, in conjunction with other publicly information on the Hizmet movement and on contemporary developments in Turkey, readers will be able to arrive at their own evaluations of the value and contribution to Turkish and global society of this undoubtedly (however evaluated) significant religious and social movement phenomenon that has emerged from the crucible of Turkey's ongoing engagement with its Ottoman history; the domestic development of its Kemalist modernity, secularism and military; its Eurasian geopolitical and cultural position; and its rich Islamic heritage.
Fethullah Gülen is a controversial figure. Before simply accepting the official line of the Turkish government that he is mind behind the coup, you must read this extraordinary book by Simon Robinson. Writing clearly and elegantly, Robinson expounds in a sympathetic way Gulen's line on responsibility. A Christian Professor learns from an Islamic thinker and illustrates how all of us need to listen to this voice and this approach. Interfaith conversation is entering a new mode. Quite remarkable and utterly fascinating.
- Title: The Spirituality of Responsibility: Fethullah Gulen and Islamic Thought
- Author: Simon Robinson
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2017
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781350009301, 9781350091559, 1350091553, 135000930X
- Resource ID: LLS:9781350009301
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-09T00:56:26Z