Understanding conspiracism

Abstract

While conspiracy theories are often considered epistemologically suspect, this work endeavors to provide a neutral assessment of these theories on epistemological grounds, and then examining the phenomenon that underlies the pejorative understanding. Beginning with a broad definition, conspiracy theories are assessed within the context of inquiry, and connections are drawn to similar types of theory present throughout history, such as a superstition and myths. Then, conspiracy theories are considered within the context of epistemic attitudes, and a distinction is drawn between conspiracy theorists, individuals who hold to at least one conspiracy theory, and conspiracists, individuals who demonstrate an attachment to conspiracy theories beyond their epistemological warrant. Conspiracism is then evaluated in the context of inquiry and the epistemic attitudes in order to identify where it errs, why individuals subscribe to it, and how it harms those individuals and those connected to them. By investigating conspiracism, this work seeks to set the stage for possible means of addressing this phenomenon.