Fuzzy logic in folklore texts of Turks’ spring holidays
Fuzzy logic is a significant development in modern science. Initially developed by Lotfi A. Zadeh, fuzzy logic has become an influential theory in physics and has found unexpected applications in analyzing folklore texts, producing valuable insights. Fuzzy logic enables us to recognize the spectrum between absolutes, much like acknowledging the green. The theory demonstrates that concepts are rarely absolute—what is “good” may contain imperfections, and what appears “poor” may possess positive attributes. According to fuzzy logic theory, the truth score of any claim is determined not by two logical levels: 1 [true] and 0 [false], but by multiple scores between these levels. The fundamental principles of fuzzy logic, when examined through the lens of philology and social sciences, encompass the concepts of hesitation, doubt, and skepticism. This study explored fuzzy logic theory by analyzing the texts of the Hidrellez and Nowruz holidays. The primary objective is to apply fuzzy logic methodology to folklore texts to gain a more precise understanding of their underlying philosophy. The methodology employed field research, textual/hermeneutic analysis, and comparative mythological analysis to derive conclusions from the application of fuzzy logic to folkloric texts. The current study proposed fuzzy logic as an analytical framework for interpreting the intermediate, uncertain, and non-binary meanings embedded in Turkish folklore texts. The analysis showed that in folklore texts of Hidrellez and Nowruz, events, beliefs, and characters were presented not through rigid “true/false” or “good/bad” oppositions, but through intermediate and changing states. Therefore, fuzzy logic provides an appropriate analytical framework for interpreting meanings in these texts that cannot be adequately captured by binary logic.
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