Concept in Definition ABC

The fanaticism is a term that allows to designate that super excited and passionate defense that an individual makes regarding their political, religious, ideological beliefs, or her tastes and interests, for example musical, sports, among others. When someone is characterized by uncompromising, radical and dogmatic positions, we are talking about a fanatic. It is not related to certain ideas, but rather a question of attitude before life.

It should be noted that the aforementioned defense is constant and does not usually stop at nothing, even, in some cases, may even exceed the limits of what is acceptable and then fanaticism can lead the individual to to deploy violent and reprehensible behaviors from the point of view moral, social and legal.

Fan portrait

He is generally an individual who expresses intolerance towards the opinions of others. He considers that he is right and that those who do not think like him live in error. His radicalism prevents him from having a reasonable dialogue with those who do not share his ideas. By understanding that his position is the true one, this legitimizes you to impose his criteria on others.

Usually he is someone who does not practice self-criticism and will hardly recognize his mistakes. His attitude in defending his proposals is inflexible and resounding. For all this, the fanatic is normally someone who is vehement, passionate and who can justify the use of the violence to defend his ideals.

Especially in the political, religious and sporting spheres, cases of individuals are usually found who present an exacerbated fanaticism and may commit crimes in defense of their positions.

In some religions, those individuals who profess a very orthodox faith come to offer their own lives in order to defend and demonstrate their commitment to the cause. In recent years we have witnessed this question from one of the most orthodox currents of the world. Islam, as is Al Qaeda , and that caused thousands of deaths in the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City.

The sport, more especially football, is not alien to this situation either and for example we have also been spectators of numerous cases of violence carried out precisely by fans of a football club against their most immediate rivals and staunch. Hundreds of injured and thousands of dead have already harvested the highest football fanaticism. Individuals who experience and manifest this inordinate desire for passion are popularly known as fans or fans.

It is worth indicating that on the other hand we can also meet individuals who profess a coherent and respectful fanaticism, and although they promote with extreme passion, everything related to the object of their fanaticism, they do so without harming or attacking a third party or someone who does not think or feel it. same.

Among the synonyms that we use the most for this word stands out that of enthusiasm, which refers precisely to the exaltation that a person's spirit suffers for what interests him or what arouses him great admiration and pleasure.

Elements of fanaticism

The first element is dogmatism, an intellectual position that rejects relativism and skepticism. The dogmatic position is based on some principles or dogmas that are considered necessarily true and, consequently, everything that is different from the dogma is rejected.

Intolerance is another of its basic ingredients. Keep in mind that being tolerant implies respecting ideas that are contrary to your own and this position is totally opposite to that of the fanatic.

Bigotry is a form of ignorance. The fanatic may be someone with a great training and a vast culture, but by not admitting that others have their share of truth or their legitimate reasons, he is expressing a lack of emotional intelligence.

The authoritarianism it is a logical consequence of fanaticism. If someone considers that he has the truth about something, his conviction will predictably lead him to authoritarian positions in front of others.

Manichaeism is that interpretation according to which there is no middle ground, since things are true or false. The fanatic simplifies reality and the world is divided into friends or enemies, truths or lies, faithful or unfaithful ...

From a psychological point of view

The phenomena of fanaticism have been studied by the psychology. In this sense, some psychologists argue that the fanatic's attitude is related to the inferiority complex. According to Freudian psychoanalysis, some individuals need strong links with reality to feel safe and for this reason they join radical groups of a totalitarian nature. Sometimes fanaticism has been valued as the expression fear, specifically fear of freedom.

Topics in Fanaticism