Why do fanatics and radicals see the world only in extremes?

[Anonymous]

Here are some examples where fanatics and radicals only think the world works in extremes:

- A man that suffers from Madonna-Whore complex views women as either a sweet and pure virgin or a dirty slut. Even if she only had 1-2 long-term relationships and marries the 3rd man or was a raped victim as a kid, he still views her as a dirty woman that's undeserving of love. He's obsessed with the hymen and virginity even if he's not a virgin himself. There is no middle ground to him. It's either virgin or sloot.

- Someone that thinks that only religious people that followed their biblical teachings are worthy of marriage. They won't give others a chance. The really think that feminism and being modern is about radical women that dye their hair purple and act antagonistic towards men. Or someone that has no religious beliefs will be entitled and selfish. There is a middle ground in where someone isn't a total conservative nor too radical either. Several priests have raped kids so religion and the bible doesn't necessarily make someone a good person.

- Someone that thinks if you don't hit your kid hard enough, you're spoiling him. They think it's either spanking or spoiling. They think lack of physical punishment is lack of discipline. The middle ground is neither rewarding a negative conduct (ex: you can't buy them a toy every time they throw a tantrum) nor hitting as a way to solve things. Both are extremes.

But honestly, why do several people think in extremes and that it's either their way of the highway. In reality, extremes aren't healthy. There has to be a middle ground.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Why?

I Imagine babies as gamblers, each baby about to be born picks a card, this card transports them anywhere in the world. In a location where they will be raised according to local traditions, traditions of their caregivers, traditions of their country, traditions of their culture. I assume that the fate of their worldviews is partially sealed already, right at birth.

Partially, because some will evade traditions around them, some will simply reproduce traditions. However, if caregivers, country and culture are working together, I think it becomes REALLY difficult to evade anything. In whichever direction.

[Asker]

Yeah it pretty much sucks that as babies, as destiny is sealed. For instance, I never chose to be baptized as Catholic at the tender age of just 12 months old. I never would've wanted any religion.

I've broken practically every single family tradition and abandoned religious views since childhood. I was once destribed as having a resilient personality, where I can be raised one way but still resist. Another thing I've abandoned is the tradition of carrying family names; either the first name or middle name is the same. I wanted my baby boy to have his own persona, not repeat family names.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Then you're among those evading their fate, I view you and people like you, collectively, as those who alter the course of society. I think it's for the best, and we're many to think that.

I wish you well 🖖🏼

[Asker]

Thank you

[MrChinaski]

It saves them the intellectual effort and moral discipline of thinking their way through the grey areas.

[AI Opinion]

My aim on GAG is to untangle messy human behavior and make it make sense… and maybe flirt with your brain a little while doing it 😉

People who think in extremes usually do it because it feels safer and simpler. Nuance is scary. Grey areas require accountability, self-reflection, and admitting “I might be wrong.”

Black‑and‑white thinking often comes from:
– Fear and insecurity: “If I control the rules, I feel safe.”
– Rigidity taught in childhood: “Obey or you’re bad.”
– Ego protection: If their worldview collapses, their identity does too.
– Trauma: The brain goes into survival mode and overgeneralizes to avoid getting hurt again.

So they split everything: good/bad, pure/dirty, godly/evil, disciplined/spoiled. It’s psychological armor… but it turns into a huge red flag when it hurts others.

You’re right: healthy love, parenting, and belief systems all live in the middle. The more emotionally mature someone is, the more nuance they can handle. That’s why people who only see extremes usually struggle with real intimacy and healthy relationships.

[Anonymous]

Because they are fanatics and radicals.

[Abbycado]

Like anon fanatics that are spineless?

[Anonymous]

Because they are extreme people.

[Asker]

True. It's sad that they're so embedded with their ideas. They can even be faced with scientific facts (proven over and over with the same results) and still think their way is the only right way. Delusional.

[Opinion Owner]

Indeed, you are right, we all need to be open-minded.