GEMS FROM A RETIRED PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR

I witnessed a situation years ago where I remembered to save a screenshot.

Doğan Cüceloğlu, a retired psychology professor specializing in communication and human relations (who introduces himself as Yakup Bey in his books), responded to a reader who commented and criticized him on his Facebook page – a page where he buys likes – by writing the following sentences. He then, fearing that his readers would see his true face, he became embarrassed and deleted his response to the reader:

“From your picture, I understand you are a middle-aged and educated person. I absolutely respect your freedom to perceive and evaluate me and the affairs of our country. Therefore, I will evaluate what you said about me not from my own perspective, but in general terms. In my opinion, an evaluation made by rote, without understanding and developing oneself, without striving to do one’s best within one’s own sphere of influence, is an unfounded, schizophrenic attitude and speech. And unfortunately, my country is full of people who, instead of helping people within their sphere of influence, spread anger, anxiety, and despair.”

I contacted this reader yesterday.

I told her I could put her in touch with my legal advisors, that I could provide her with all kinds of support, both financially and morally, and I explained her legal rights.

I believe that the most delicate line between a mature and a helpless person depends on their ability to confront themselves and the truth. Someone who lacks this strength, as in the case of Mr. Yakup, might present themselves as a communication expert and psychology professor, then respond to a reader who criticizes them by first calling them “schizophrenic,” and then, after much thought and fear, erase that response and resort to begging for existence. Yet, honor and dignity are most needed in one’s final moments and after death.