Why does Conservative political thought differ so much from Liberal political thought?

Conservative thought, is reasoned, and cautious, not rigid. That is a "reactionary". It takes unintended consequences into it's decision making. 

Liberal thought is more on the wishful thinking side. They don't like the notion that there are influences like "human nature", and that the world is full of finites. 

Liberals think there are problems and absolute solutions

Conservatives think there are problems and trade off's. 

That's because there is always two schools of thought.  Always two polar opposites.  Liberal and Conservatives just so happens to be the term for it and they are stictly defined.  There's also the Left and the Right.  And Democrat and Republican.  You can mix and match that though.

I once thought like a liberal.  I was young then.  I changed towards conservative because my values changed.  I was also once more left, but now right.  Again, values change.  

People won't agree.  Some are so invested in what they believe in that they will die defending it.  Much like a mother who insists her psychopathic serial killer child is still a good boy.

Conservatives are trying to keep what they have. Liberals are trying to take what others have.

Being progressive requires intelligence, insight, wisdom, and education. 

Being conservative requires none of these. 

All right-wing political ideology finds its roots in mental illnesses.  This has been proven time and time again.  Cons open mouth, out comes the crazy.  As Trump proved throughout the campaign he lost in a landslide.

Most conservatives seem just a decade or two behind the left.  Charlie Kirk and Ben Shapiro rant about how racism is evil and gay acceptance.

Liberal political thought requires intelligence, whereas conservative political thought requires blind obedience and faith.

It's all about personal beliefs, imo. People can get passionate and go to the extremes. I'm sure other users will give a better answer than what I've provided.