Abstract
This paper studies the social construction of reality in religious extremism. The daily life of extremists is viewed here as an alternative social reality, which is opposed to objective reality and portrayed by the ideologists as the only right one. The methodology of the research is based on Peter Berger’s phenomenological theory of world construction by numerous transcendental subjects. The daily life of extremists is regulated by the social order established in the extremist community, which is ensured by specific attitudes, preferences, conventions, values, and knowledge systems that are contained in their ideology. An important result of the study is the characterization of the social construction mechanisms according to the extremist worldview. Cognitive biases and assertion of personal significance contribute to a positive perception of the ideology and an active participation in extremist activities, while the “Us vs Them” opposition leads to the polarization of views and fewer external contacts, as well as forms a positive image of “Us” while ignoring their negative qualities and hyperbolizing the negative qualities of “Them”. The idealization of history and the heroization of individual participants in this movement form false notions of justice and of the possibility of creating an ideal state system, thereby motivating extremists to commit unlawful acts, including violent ones. Thinking models are adjusted to conform to the ideology, new patterns of behaviour are established through social actions and ritual practices. Illegal extremist activity is presented as following the will of the higher forces, thus acquiring the status of a sacred duty to establish the common good and fight against the universal evil. These mechanisms are characteristic of various types of extremism (national, political). Religion acts as an element reinforcing ideological content and allowing extremist communities to project ultimate meanings onto objective reality, endowing it with a given meaning.
Published Version
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