Fanaticism

Fanaticism, from French fanatique or Latin fanaticus 'of a temple, inspired by a god'.

Related Topics:
French - Latin

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Fanatical character, spirit or conduct.

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A fanatic is a person filled with excessive, uncritical zeal, particularly for an extreme religious or political cause, or with an obsessive enthusiasm for a pastime or hobby.

Related Topics:
Zeal - Religious - Obsessive - Hobby

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Historian Richard Pipes, when categorizing Lenin and the bolsheviks as fanatics rather than utopians, refers to the definition by philosopher George Santayana: "Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim." (Life of Reason, 1905, vol. 1, Introduction)

Related Topics:
Richard Pipes - Lenin - Bolshevik - George Santayana

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See also Enthusiasm

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