How European Is Turkey?

[Poltergeist]

Curiously, René Guénon put Turks and so-called Levantines in general into the category of Westerners, not into that of the traditional Islamic culture. He thought they had the same "Western" mentality and aspirations, only that they were less successful in attaining their goals in the period of modernity.

And such qualifications, when coming from Guénon, were hardly a compliment.

[Chocolate_Hound]

Turks being "Orientals" as nothing to do with Europe is about as convincing as the case that is made for Hungary. They are also non-European in origin (linguistically). The only difference with Turkey is that most of its current land is in Asia unlike the former.

I think what matters more is Turkey's modern-day place. They are a mix of Balkan-Middle Eastern culture and are a transcontinental country.

[Roy]

I don't find Turkey a European country.