The Fundamentalist Mind How Polarized Thinking Imperils Us All

The events of 9/11 and the ensuing conflicts in the Middle East have demonstrated how fundamentalist thinking, by all involved, can cause suffering on a global scale. In this careful study, Stephen Larsen examines the psychological roots of fundamentalism. Fundamentalist thinking occurs, says Larsen, when people read metaphors literally and being certain becomes more important than anything else. Larsen explains how our brains can be hardwired to believe this way. Any one of us can fall prey to inflexible, black-or-white thinking. Larsen provides a guide on how to recognize fundamentalist thinking in ourselves and in others so that we can curb negative tendencies and create a more compassionate and peaceful world, one person at a time.

Stephen Larsen is Professor Emeritus of psychology, SUNY, Ulster.