If you look at opinions that people have about beliefs for example, they fall into what is known as a 'bell curve' of distribution. This shows that a few people will have an 'extreme' view as a supporter or non-supporter of the belief. The majority of people fall into the segment of 'normal' in as much that they do not hold extreme views.

For example, if you asked a sample of 100 people about the price of petrol; 2 would be enraged by it, 2 would think it was positive to be expensive as it would discourage car polution and the majority would be more moderate in their views.

People at one extreme can never see the view of the other extreme, and vice versa.

Extreme views can be troublesome when the 'extremists' meet head on. Often a moderator, someone who can see both sides of an argument, is required to move the views of both sides to a middle ground.

Mahatma Ghandi was a skilled moderator, at once being able to see the 'extreme' views of the British and also the Indian nation. He literally went to each extreme to see the argument from each perspective.

Below is a model of a 'bell curve'.

Do you hold any extreme views?

Have you considered the other perspectives?