The maximalist is a man of extremes. Being a maximalist in adolescence is wonderful, as it contributes to the formation of personality. But does maximalism disappear with age, or does it transform into something else?
Black or White? Yes or no? Borscht or Pea Soup? If a person demands a clear answer to these questions, without giving time for reflection, for doubt, for the search for objectivity, finally, then you can diagnose absolutely accurately - this is a classic maximalist. Striving for the absolute maxim is the main dominant of his character, dictating, as a rule, intolerance of behavior.
"Do not enter into disputes and debates, because if a dominant has developed, it cannot be overcome by words and convictions - it will only feed on and be reinforced by them."
A. Ukhtomsk
Intolerance as a way of being
Gray, and even more so its shades in the color spectrum from white to black or vice versa, does not exist for the maximalist. As there are no words "perhaps, but …". And if between borscht and pea soup you suddenly choose a mixed hodgepodge, then be prepared for moral humiliation in advance - the maximalist will seal you with an impartial characteristic, calling you, at best, not having a firm position, a weak-willed person. Firstly, you did not choose borsch with him as the only correct answer. Secondly, they chose their own version - and this tears the consciousness of the maximalist. As a rule, they are intolerant and their principles are simple: whoever is not with us is against us; a step to the left, a step to the right - execution.
“We don’t have a chance to do many things that can be called great. Because this is our life. Life is short and you are dying. Do you know this?"
Stephen Job
Is maximalism really bad?
There are two kinds of adult maximalists: the perfectionist and the paranoid. Both those and others move humanity forward. But, if perfectionists strive for progress and a brighter future, then paranoids, often at the cost of many human lives, plunge society into regression.
“We are here to contribute to this world. Why else are we here?"
Stephen Job
The perfectionist strives first of all for self-improvement, and then for the improvement of the world. The paranoid is always an ideological fighter. The paranoid turns any life attitudes so that they correspond with the greatest benefit to the idea that has seized him in this particular historical period of the life of mankind: only what he wants is right, and all means are good to achieve this.
"Maybe this is exactly what is needed for the old comrades so easily and so simply to descend into the grave."
Joseph Stali
There are many famous creative people among perfectionists, especially in the field of exact sciences, philosophy, music or new technologies, like Steve Jobs, for example. He and similar maximalists cultivate a creative search, since they are driven by the desire to change both their own personality and the outside world.
There are also many famous people among the paranoid, and mostly these are politicians-dictators who have strengthened their authority due to the irremovability of power. They are confident in their own infallibility and impunity, in the ideality of their own personality, which, in their opinion, is beautiful and does not require development.
The death of one person is a tragedy, the death of millions is statistics.
E. M. Remarque. "Black obelisk"
The inability of the paranoid to think critically, to truly understand reality, to creatively develop, leads to stagnation and stagnation of society. And almost always to huge human sacrifices. For such maximalists, the most important thing is to keep others in the sphere of their own interests, to suppress any emotional states that contradict their influence. Impose values and put them in a framework beneficial to the achievement of the dictator's goal.
Is there a cure for maximalism
Choosing between "yes" and "no", you can always feel like a maximalist. Several times a day we are them, don't we? Listen to yourself: if you are categorical, insist that there can be only one of two choices, then you are a maximalist. If you are intolerant of other people's opinions, you are a maximalist. And we have to do something about it.
Allow yourself to hesitate by asking simple questions: Is what I now advocate really vital to me? Do people suffer from my categorical nature? Am I saving humanity by being ready to kill all those who disagree with me? If you are able to admit that you are wrong, you are curable. If not, then the next stage of maximalism is senile insanity. You just have to be ready for it.