Essential characteristics of the extreme

This article considers the extreme in its ambiguity, and the response of mind to the extreme. It has been revealed that the extremity both conduces to deviations and promotes self-development of an individual. The study shows the evolution of types of the extreme consciousness: an unhappy one, a radical or an extremist one and their mutual transformation in modern society. The study has revealed an opportunity to cope with the passionate energy and ab-vital activity, and ways of managing them have been identified as well. The author provided a definition (of the extreme) and ways to manage the extremes as an effective method to reduce deviations.