Are fanatics like alcoholics, unrepentant and extremely blind?

I don’t care how fanatic someone is, you hear everything in a klapsmühle about wahn.

Fanatics are characterized by an excessive devotion to an idea, a person or a thing that is often associated with intolerance to differing opinions. Here are some typical criteria:

1. Absolute conviction – They see their views as infallible and leave no doubts or counter arguments.
2. Intolerance of criticism – Different opinions are not considered legitimate perspectives, but as a threat.
3. Black-white counters – The world is divided into clear contrasts (good vs. evil, right vs. wrong), without gray zones.
4. Emotional overidentification – Their beliefs are closely linked to their self-image, so that every questioning is perceived as a personal attack.
5. Missionary zeal – You have the need to convince others of their vision or force them to.
6. Confidentiality or contempt – Either blind follow-up to a certain authority or radical rejection of any authority that contradicts them.
7. Dogmatic argumentation – Arguments are often based on inalienable principles or beliefs that cannot be questioned.
8. Lack of self-reflection – Self-criticism or reviewing your own position is rare or impossible.
9. Polarization of the environment – They tend to surround themselves only with like-minded people and to limit others.
10. Escalation readiness – In extreme cases, fanatics are willing to provoke conflicts or even use violence to achieve their goals.

Fanatism can occur in many areas – in religion, politics, ideology, science or even in fan communities.