And people with extreme viewpoints usually feel that way because they have some very strong belief system, like the idea that human life should take precedence

And people with extreme viewpoints usually feel that way because they have some very strong belief system, like the idea that human life should take precedence over private property, or the idea that taxation is theft. If you start with one of those assumptions, then it pushes you pretty strongly to one pole or another. Often times people like that do think for themselves. They just think differently than you do.