Publications (Philosophy)
Book
The Theological Origins of Liberalism, Lexington Books (2016) (Turkish trans. in 2018; Persian trans. forthcoming)
Papers
Avicenna's Rationalism: Innateness, Necessity, Certainty, forthcoming in Review of Metaphysics
Avicenna's Intuitionist Rationalism [pdf]
History of Philosophy Quarterly, 38.4 (2021): 317–36
A Critique of Claude Lévi-Strauss' Philosophical Anthropology, Ethos: Dialogues in Philosophy and Social Sciences, 11.2 (2018): 104–19
Papers in Turkish:
Karl Popper's Critique of Idealism, Beytulhikme: An International Journal of Philosophy, 8.1 (2018): 273–301
Works in Progress
A paper on the epistemology of liberalism (under review)
A paper on public reason and open-mindedness (under review)
Working paper on AI and political freedom (early draft)
Working paper on the liberalization of nonliberal societies (advanced draft) [talk]
Working paper on liberal democracy and virtues (advanced draft) [podcast]
Working paper on Kantian dignity and Islamic ethics (advanced draft)
Publications (Political Science)
Papers
Examining the Condition of Alevis in Turkey in Light of the Freedom of Religion and Conscience and Religious Minority Rights in International Law, Islamic Azad University Journal of Social Sciences, 9.1 (2019): 1–11
Arab Nationalism from a Historical Perspective: A Gradual Demise?, Yalova Journal of Social Sciences, 8.13 (2017): 11–24
Iranian Political System: Mullocracy?, Journal of Management & Economic Research, 15.1 (2017): 113–29 (translated to Persian)
A Comparative Analysis of Political Strategies of Three Islamic Political Movements in Egypt and Turkey, Celal Bayar University Journal of Social Sciences, 15.2 (2017): 17–48
Democratization in Egypt from a Historical Perspective: Problems, Pitfalls and Prospects, Journal of Management and Economics, 22.1 (2015): 183–99
Papers in Turkish
The 2011 Egyptian Revolution and its Aftermath in Light of the Theories of Revolution: What Type of a Revolution Was It?, Ankara University Journal of the Faculty of Political Sciences, 74.4 (2019): 1011–35
Reform and Interest: The Project of the ‘Basic Law on Public Administration’ in Turkey from the Perspective of the Public Choice Theory, Al-Farabi International Journal of Social Sciences, 2.2 (2018): 85–98
A Political Assessment of the Democratization Policy in Turkey Between 2004 and 2015, Artvin Coruh University Journal of Social Sciences, 3.2 (2017): 89–116
The Relationship between the New Right and Democratization: The Case of Turgut Özal Period in Turkey, Mehmet Ersoy University Journal of the Institute of Social Sciences, 9.22 (2017): 358–74
The Impact of New Public Management Approach on the Public Services: The Case of Municipalities, Bartin University Journal of Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 8.16 (2017): 85–106
Research topics
My current research interests fall into four clusters:
1. Liberal theory
2. Islamic philosophy
3. Philosophy of AI
4. Virtues & vices
In my dissertation at Vanderbilt, I develop an account of the epistemology of liberalism and use it to propose a model of 'philosophical liberalization' for nonliberal—particularly Muslim-majority—societies. Part of this work is on virtues and vices, exploring their connection to liberalism. In addition to my dissertation, I do research on AI, examining its epistemological foundations and its ethical, political, and economic implications.
Before coming to Vanderbilt, I earned a PhD from Ankara University with a dissertation which addressed a debate among historians of Islamic philosophy on Avicenna's epistemology and proposed a solution for the epistemological crisis in Islamic thought. Prior to that, my MA thesis explored the medieval origins of liberalism. In addition, I worked on issues of freedom and democratization in the Middle East, publishing peer-reviewed articles in political theory and political science on that topic.
Upcoming and recent presentations (2025–2026)
(Come say hello or email me for the Zoom link!)
"Public Reason Liberalism and Virtue Epistemology," APA Eastern Meeting, Baltimore, MD, Jan 7-10, 2026
"Epistemology of Liberalization," Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) Society, New Orleans, LA, Nov 13-15, 2025
"Epistemology of Liberalization," Markets and Society Conference, Mercatus Center at George Mason University, Falls Church, VA, Oct 17-20, 2025
"Philosophical Liberalization: Belief System Transformation in Nonliberal Societies," Workshop in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Mercatus Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, Oct 2, 2025
"Avicenna and Kant on Dignity: The Ethics of the 'Floating Man'," Religious Studies Department, Vanderbilt University, Sep 24, 2025
"Liberalization of Nonliberal Societies," Network for Constitutional Economics and Social Philosophy, Berlin, Aug 26, 2025
"Philosophical Liberalization: Belief System Transformation in Nonliberal Societies," Junior Fellows August Convening, Institute of Humane Studies, Charlotte, NC, Aug 14-17, 2025
"AI, Economic Planning, and Political Freedom," AI Summer School, Vanderbilt Lab for Immersive AI Translation, Aug 11-14, 2025
"Political Liberalism and Philosophy of Science," Annual Orange Beach Epistemology Workshop 17th Meeting (2025 theme: Political Epistemology), Orange Beach, AL, May 20-21, 2025
"Public Reason Liberalism and Epistemic Virtues," Junior Fellowship May Convening, Institute for Humane Studies, Charlotte, NC, May 22-25, 2025
"AI, Economic Planning, and Political Freedom," Data Science Institute, Spring AI Showcase, Vanderbilt University, Apr 18, 2025
Commentary on "What Do Dehumanizers Believe?" by Denis Kazankov, APA Pacific, San Francisco, CA, Apr 16-18, 2025
"AI, Economic Planning, and Political Freedom," Panel on Interdisciplinary Research, Minorities & Philosophy (MAP) Chapter at Vanderbilt University, Apr 14, 2025
"AI, Economic Planning, and Political Freedom," Vanderbilt Lab for Immersive AI Translation, Bite-sized Science Talks, Vanderbilt University, Apr 1, 2025
"Epistemic Abstinence, Truth Pluralism, and Epistemology of Liberalism," APA Central Meeting, Feb 20-22, 2025