Kaygı Dergisi, vol.20, no.2, pp.537-555, 2021 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Abstract: The core aim of this study is to show the clues of harmonious life in the project of the
Enlightenment and in Urfa’s example. There are not comparable which each other totally but in
only one point they have interesting similarities. It might be a harmonious life in which everybody respects the differences of each other, but not only in the way that the Enlightenment project claimed. In order to reach this aim, the study can be divided into two levels. The first level is a comparatively abstract and philosophical level. This level tries to show key concepts and milestones of the Enlightenment. It gives, at the end of this level, some deficiencies or the differences between the ideals and historical facts of the Enlightenment era. The second level is more concrete and detailed because of focusing on Urfa’s example. It introduces a new perspective
analyzing historico-sociological features of Urfa. After that it lists some of the key points of Urfa’s
uniqueness. This study concludes with the debate about the special features of Urfa.
Keywords: The Enlightenment, Urfa (Edessa), Solidarity, Social Coherence, Cultural Mound,
Democracy, Natural Rights, Natural Law.