Fanaticism

Fanaticism is a pattern of belief or behaviour characterised by uncritical zeal, obsessive enthusiasm, and extreme emotional commitment to a cause, idea, person, or activity. It involves a level of intensity that exceeds socially accepted norms and is typically accompanied by intolerance of opposing viewpoints. Fanaticism can manifest in religious, political, cultural, sporting, or ideological contexts and has been examined across philosophy, psychology, sociology, and history.
Although often associated with violence or extremism, fanaticism is primarily defined by its psychological and behavioural features, rather than by the specific content of the belief itself.

Definitions and Conceptual Understanding

Philosophical and academic definitions of fanaticism emphasise its excessive and irrational dimensions. The philosopher George Santayana famously described fanaticism as “redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim”, highlighting the loss of reflective purpose and critical self-awareness. This definition underlines the idea that fanatical behaviour persists even when the original goal has become obscured or irrelevant.
Psychologist and theologian Tõnu Lehtsaar defines fanaticism as the pursuit or defence of something in an extreme and passionate manner that goes beyond normality. In this view, fanaticism is not merely strong belief but belief pursued without proportionality, restraint, or openness to correction.
In religious contexts, fanaticism is often defined by:

• Blind or unquestioning faith
• Hostility towards dissenters or perceived heretics
• Detachment from empirical reality or moral compromise

Psychological and Social Characteristics

Fanatics typically exhibit:

• Rigid thinking and absolute certainty
• Low tolerance for ambiguity or disagreement
• Emotional overreaction to criticism or opposition
• Resistance to debate or evidence

Anthropologist Margaret Mead noted that fanatical groups often develop defensive strategies to protect their beliefs when challenged, reinforcing group cohesion and hostility towards outsiders. These strategies can include moral superiority, persecution narratives, and the rejection of external authority.
Media theorist Neil Postman argued that fanatical beliefs are often self-confirming. Such beliefs are structured so that they cannot be falsified: any evidence against them is reinterpreted as further proof of their correctness. From this perspective, fanaticism is not defined by whether a belief is true or false, but by whether it is held in a way that makes rational evaluation impossible.

Causes and Conditions of Fanaticism

Fanaticism rarely arises in isolation and is usually the result of interacting psychological, cultural, and social factors. Research suggests that fanaticism is most likely to emerge when:

• Multiple cultures or belief systems come into contact and competition
• A charismatic leader introduces minor but emotionally charged variations to existing beliefs
• Individuals experience identity insecurity, social marginalisation, or perceived injustice
• Pre-existing cognitive or emotional conditions favour absolutist thinking

Historical examples illustrate how individuals may maintain fanatical commitment long after external circumstances have changed. Notable cases include soldiers who continued to fight decades after wars had ended, demonstrating the power of ideological conditioning and identity fusion.

Fanaticism and Related Behaviours

Fanaticism is often confused with strong enthusiasm, but the two are not identical.
A fan may display intense interest or devotion to a subject, such as a sport, artist, or hobby, but generally remains within social norms. Such behaviour may appear eccentric but does not usually involve intolerance or social harm.
A fanatic, by contrast:

• Violates prevailing social norms
• Demonstrates disproportionate commitment
• Shows hostility towards dissent

Fanaticism also differs from crank beliefs. A crank is typically defined as someone who holds opinions so far outside accepted knowledge that they are widely regarded as implausible or absurd, such as flat Earth beliefs. In fanaticism, the subject itself may be socially normal (for example, religion or politics), but the scale and rigidity of commitment are abnormal.

Types of Fanaticism

Fanaticism can occur across a wide range of domains. Commonly identified forms include:

• Cultural or celebrity fanaticism: excessive identification with a public figure, group, trend, or artwork
• Ethnic or racial fanaticism: including racial supremacist ideologies that assert inherent superiority
• Leisure and lifestyle fanaticism: extreme devotion to hobbies or activities beyond healthy engagement
• Nationalistic or patriotic fanaticism: uncritical glorification of a nation, often accompanied by hostility towards others
• Ideological fanaticism: rigid adherence to political or philosophical systems
• Religious fanaticism: often regarded as the most extreme form, involving absolute belief, moral absolutism, and the suppression of alternative viewpoints
• Sports fanaticism: intense emotional identification with teams or events, sometimes associated with violence or organised hooliganism

While the objects of fanaticism vary, the underlying psychological mechanisms are often similar.

Social Consequences and Risks

Fanaticism can have significant social consequences, particularly when it becomes collective rather than individual. These include:

• Polarisation and breakdown of dialogue
• Justification of violence or coercion
• Suppression of dissent and minority voices
• Resistance to evidence-based decision-making