Intellectual Extremism: Causes and Solutions

One of the most common problems facing human societies in general, and Arab societies in particular, is intellectual extremism, despite the different religions and beliefs of those societies.

This phenomenon has grown dangerously and has become a threat to the security and safety of societies as it works to undermine the culture of coexistence. Recently, new forms of it have emerged, leading to clear divisions even within the same culture. This prompts us to exert more effort in delving into the concept of this problem, its various dimensions, and identifying its causes so that we can, hand in hand, stand up to it and treat it.

The concept of intellectual extremism

Extremism in general is a term that refers to everything that is far from moderation, be it an increase or a decrease, an excess or negligence. This concept differs from one society to another, as it is a relative concept due to the different values, customs, and prevailing culture in general. Therefore, we may find a clear multiplicity of concepts of extremism to the extent that it has become difficult to clearly define their dimensions and frameworks, or even to generalize about them. What one society considers to be extremist behavior may be acceptable and prevailing behavior in another. Likewise, the concept of extremism varies according to time. What was unacceptable in the past has become a prevailing culture today.

The concept of intellectual extremism has been used to refer to deviating from the intellectual base, values, and standards prevailing in a given society at a specific time, adopting certain ideas and attitudes that contradict them, and defending them fiercely. It may reach the level of violence and the practice of terrorist acts, whether individually or collectively, with the aim of normalizing society with these ideas and applying them by force.

Extremists have a one-sided vision and believe that it is necessary to cancel and fight any vision that is different from theirs or that contradicts it. They are not willing to compromise their ideas or even discuss with others the truth and credibility of those ideas.

Thinkers have tried to define the concept of intellectual extremism, and among these definitions:

Mohammed Al-Nasr Al-Hassan

"Exceeding the limits of moderation and mediocrity in human thought, which may result in behaviors that are harmful to the individual and society in the various political, economic, social, and cultural aspects that the owner of this extremist ideology lives in."

Rashed Al-Mubarak

“Exaggeration in understanding a doctrine, belief, philosophy, or thought, and intolerance to that understanding, and using it to control the behavior of the individual or group, and trying to impose this understanding and orientation on the other by all means, including violence and coercion.”

Therefore, it can be said that intellectual extremism is going to the extreme with an idea and sticking to it. This idea may be religious, political, social, economic, artistic, or literary. Extremism stems from a human’s self-exaltation and a hostile view of others.

What are the reasons for intellectual extremism?

1. Religious reasons

Some people consider that every person who opposes their religion is an unacceptable person. Each of them strives to provide interpretations on religious issues, holding others accountable, imposing their opinion according to their own interpretations, and often declaring others to be unbelievers.

2. Social reasons

Such as the individual's feeling of injustice in their society and dropping out of education in general, which leads to emptiness, unemployment, and poverty, or the opposite situation, that is, excessive wealth and the emptiness that occurs because of it, and that pushes the individual to do new experiences with the intention of changing and filling time.

3. Political reasons

Such as deprivation of political and civil rights and freedoms, occupation by another country, or the prevailing belief among some societies of their marginalization and lack of support and contempt by another society, as well as lack of respect for international agreements and breaches of international covenants such as human rights; the failure of governments to respond to popular demands, especially those for reform, equality in rights and duties among people, improvement of their economic and living conditions; marginalizing certain groups of people and depriving them of exercising their freedoms and obtaining their rights; or governments practices of policies of exclusion and repression against minorities and others.

4. Economic Reasons

Economic factors play a major role in intellectual extremism. Economists often attribute extremism to the low standard of living for the individual and the economic situation in society, which tends to be poor and often leads to anxiety and intellectual extremism.

5. Education

Education is currently considered one of the most important pillars of building societies, especially if it follows scientific methods and creative tools of thinking that are based on analysis and criticism, involving students in the educational process, exchanging opinions and ideas with others, making them adapt to the idea of having other opinions that contradict their opinion, and then teaching them the behavior of openness to others. However, these methods may be absent from some societies, and this means producing generations subject to the dictates of others.

6. Psychological reasons

There are many psychological causes, and we can mention, but are not limited to, frustration. Frustrated individuals are more vulnerable to engaging in extremist groups and adopting their beliefs, and they are, in fact, more faithful to these beliefs than others due to their fear of being blamed if the project fails. Frustrated individuals follow the beliefs of others not because they believe in those beliefs but because that makes them far away from themselves and the problems that surround them. There are other psychological reasons, such as the control of the lower self, the “self that leads to evil” over the individual, and the individual acting according to the will of others, in whom they see a symbol of power and authority.

7. Media

Recently, the media and various social networking sites have played a major role in the emergence, feeding, and incitement of extremism. Television channels that promote extremist and terrorist ideas and groups appeared and began to glorify them and encourage terrorist acts against governments, describing it as an act to please the Lord. Social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp provide an opportunity for extremist and terrorist groups to broadcast their contents, invade minds, and secure support for them.

8. Individual reasons

Such as poor emotional control, lack of critical thinking skills, incorrect self-understanding, weak connection of the individual with their family and society, absence of proper family upbringing, lack of reliable sources of religious information, deficiencies in education methods, and others.

How can intellectual extremism be treated and combated?

1. Developing a clear strategy within society to combat extremism and terrorism and issuing laws to ensure that.
2. Improving the individual's mindset by training and educating them, diversifying their experiences, and encouraging them to analyze those
3. Teaching the individual the right research methods so that they can obtain the correct information and not adopt any idea they find, and urging them to search for the root of the issues, especially the religious ones.
4. Discussing pivotal issues in society through dialogue by holding meetings and gatherings between all parties in society.
5. Using the media and social networking sites to spread cultural awareness and sound religious thought.
6. Working to reform individuals who have fallen victim to extremism and reintegrate them into society.
7. Analyzing the reasons for the emergence of extremist groups in order to address them, and issuing periodic bulletins that clarify the negative aspects of extremism and call for combating it in order to preserve the stability and safety of society.
8. Paying attention to educational curricula and training the minds of individuals on analytical thinking skills, accepting different opinions, and combating extremism in all its forms.
9. Working to reduce the causes of extremism and violence by reforming the social, economic, and political conditions in society.
10. Paying attention to youth and their issues, nurturing their aspirations, trying to employ their capabilities in the right way in building society, strengthening their intellectual immunity and mental abilities to distinguish between what is right and wrong, and thus avoiding reaching extremism.
11. Developing the infrastructure of government institutions concerned with confronting and combating extremism.
12. Deconstructing Takfiri extremist discourses by spreading cultural awareness and calling for faith, patience, and wisdom.
13. Taking care of human values and upholding them, especially human dignity and freedom, removing injustice from them, and working to achieve their happiness and well-being, which makes them useful for their society.
14. Enhancing cooperation between governmental and private institutions to confront the threat of extremism, violence, and terrorism.

Conclusion

Extremism is associated with blind fanaticism for an idea. It represents a state of intellectual closure. However, this extremism is not born of the moment but rather has its roots deep in history. It has its causes and repercussions, and knowing the cause is very important to finding solutions, as a correct diagnosis is the beginning of successful treatment.