Fanatical ideological evil stems from normal psychology under extreme circumstances
Evidence
Many people regard what they are required to do at work as quite ridiculous and ask why they have to do it. Capitalist realism is confronted, as the response comes back: “Well, you know, it’s just how it is now. We don’t really believe this stuff, of course, but we just have to go along with it.” That is all ideology really needs. You do not have to believe it in your heart of hearts: all you are required to do is act as if you believe it. — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1661 (
#complicates, via linked claim)
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Social psychologists explain genocidal behavior through situational pressure plus unexamined psychological processes — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide: The Social…, 352; Popular psychology functions mainly to displace blame from evil actors onto prior causes; Fanatical destruction arises from normal psychology under extreme circumstances, not inherent malice (+5 more)
Broader Connections
- Fanatical destruction arises from normal psychology under extreme circumstances, not inherent malice
#corroborates(1.00) - Extreme ideologies arise from normal processes, not inherent malice
#corroborates(0.95) - Ideology operates through acting as if you believe, not sincere conviction
#complicates(0.80) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1661 - Extreme evil can stem from meticulous order rather than its breakdown
#complicates(0.78) — Zygmunt Bauman, Modernity and the Holocaust, 430 - Popular psychology functions as licensed exceptions that remove the onus of evil
#complicates(0.72) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3887