A Genealogy of the Concept of Civilization (Medeniyet) in Ottoman Political Thought: A Homegrown Perception?

Since the first translation of concept civilization into Turkish as “medeniyet” in 1837 by Sadık Rıfat Pasha, then Ottoman Ambassador to Vienna, this coinage has turned out be an essential component modernization. This paper aims establish a genealogy demonstrate divergences perceptions different periods throughout nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It argues that was perceived group intellectuals tool reach ideal state being (c. 1840-1860). The next generation 1860-1890) defined “the” being, yet they had views on concept, particularly concerning distinction between material moral elements civilization. Finally, third 1890-1920), whose thoughts were more or less crystallized under three broad political currents labeled Westernism, Islamism, Turkism, sometimes contradicting based their outlooks. By referring writings these intellectuals, will discuss central debates late Empire, such singularity/plurality civilization(s), existence Islamic alternative European civilization, degree importing from culture Moreover, it perception is “civilization”; other words, while not homeborn, homegrown. Accordingly, only divided opted for former, but also questioned singularity supremacy “Islamic civilization” either extinct once-present form potential rival