Cited by 585Epistemology, Ethics, and MetaphysicsMisinformation and Its ImpactsParanormal Experiences and Beliefs

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Of Conspiracy Theories

Keeley, Brian L.·1999·The Journal of Philosophy

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Abstract

As the end of the Millennium approaches, conspiracy theories are increasing in number and popularity. In this short essay, I offer an analysis of conspiracy theories inspired by Hume's discussion of miracles. My first conclusion is that whereas Hume can argue that miracles are, by definition, explanations we are not warranted in believing, there is nothing analytic that will allow us to distinguish good from bad conspiracy theories. There is no a priori method for distinguishing warranted conspiracy theories (say, those explaining Watergate) from those which are unwarranted (say, theories about extraterrestrials abducting humans). Nonetheless, there is a cluster of characteristics often shared by unwarranted conspiracy theories. An analysis of the alleged explanatory virtues of unwarranted conspiracies suggests some reasons for their current popularity, while at the same time providing grounds for their rejection. Finally, I discuss how conspiracy theories embody an anachronistic world-view that places the contemporary zeitgeist in a clearer light.

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Preface
Persily, N., & Tucker, J. A. (2020) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108890960.001
A Dutch Dilemma
(2008) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9780822391449-005
Bibliography
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Cultural Trauma and Social Drama
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Perpetrators and Victims
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References
Leicester, J. (2016) · BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBLISHERS eBooks · doi:10.2174/9781681082639116010023
Mediating Social Drama
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Assassination as Public Performance
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The Clash of Civilizations
(2008) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9780822391449-004
Contemporary Challenges to Democracy
(2022) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108779104.025
“Who Wants to Silence Us?” Perceived Discrimination of Conspiracy Theory Believers Increases “Conspiracy Theorist” Identification When it Comes From Powerholders – But not From the General PublicPreprint
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SENSUALIZED EPISTEMOLOGY
(2022) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478022879-004
THE LONGING TO BELIEVE
(2022) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478022879-003
Notes
(2022) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478022879-012
Cogency Theory
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THE SECULAR CIRCUS
(2022) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478022879-009
Feeling Is Believing
(2022) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478022879-006
From Creationism to Climate Denialism
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SCIENCE AS AN INTOXICATION
(2022) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478022879-005
Bibliography
(2022) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478022879-013
ONLY BETTER BEASTS
(2022) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478022879-008
The Four Horsemen
(2022) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478022879-010
Notes
(2008) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9780822391449-007
Index
Persily, N., & Tucker, J. A. (2020) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108890960.015
Bibliographie générale
Soir, E. D. (2019) · De Boeck Supérieur eBooks · doi:10.3917/dbu.josse.2019.02.0304
Présentation
Tenailleau, N. (2019) · Education et sociétés · doi:10.3917/es.042.0005
Conspiracy trend in everyday practices of social reflection. Theoretical generalisations
Сергеев, В. Н. (2022) · VESTNIK INSTITUTA SOTZIOLOGII · doi:10.19181/vis.2022.13.2.798
How Do Conspiratorial Explanations Differ from Non-Conspiratorial Explanations? A Content Analysis of Real-World Online ArticlesPreprint
Meuer, M., Oeberst, A., & Imhoff, R. (2022) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/q986a
‘Where there are villains, there will be heroes’: Belief in conspiracy theories as an existential tool to fulfill need for meaningPreprint
Schöpfer, C., Abatista, A., Fuhrer, J., et al. (2022) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/jyux2
How Do We Discern Conspiracy Theories?
(2022) · doi:10.31262/978-80-568-0513-8/2022
The Divine Nature of Conspiracy
Shewell, T. (2021) · Psych-Talk · doi:10.53841/bpstalk.2021.1.99.23
On Ethically Informing Citizens About Political Conspiracies
Varelius, J. (2023) · Journal of Media Ethics · doi:10.1080/23736992.2023.2193956
“…interpret both lack of evidence for and evidence against the existence of a conspiracy as supporting a conspiracy theory: lack of evidence for and evidence against the existence of a conspiracy are what one can expect when conspirators try to hide their plot (see also Boudry, 2022; Keeley, 1999).”
Background
Verschwörungserzählungen im Kontext der Wissenschaftsleugnung
Heichele, T. (2023) · Zeitschrift für Praktische Philosophie · doi:10.22613/zfpp/9.2.5
Bibliographie
(2023) · Hermann eBooks · doi:10.3917/herm.sauva.2023.01.0137
Inferentialism and social delusion
Lemanek, K. (2023) · Theoria · doi:10.1111/theo.12478
How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered the World: Empirical Analysis of Conspiracy TheoriesPreprint
Cevik, S. (2023) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4499628
Memory and Remembrance in Digital Populist Discourse in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic: Case Study of @TPPatriots (Tea Party Patriots) Activity on Twitter
Wasilewski, K. (2023) · Studies in digital politics and governance · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-33716-1_9
07 RESONANT APOPHENIA
Lepselter, S. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-008
14 CONSPIRACY AND ITS CURIOUS AFTERLIVES
Hillis, F. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-015
CONSPIRACIES OF THEORY:
MORRIS, R. C. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-011
05 CONSPIRACY, THEORY, AND THE “POST-TRUTH” PUBLIC SPHERE
Melley, T. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-006 · Cited by 2
03 A FALSE FLAG
MASCO, J. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-004 · Cited by 1
ON UNCERTAINTY AND THE QUESTION OF JUDGMENT
Wedeen, L. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-007
FLAME AND STEEL INSIDE THE CAPITOL
Belew, K. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-018 · Cited by 1
HUMANITARIAN PROFITEERING IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC AS CONSPIRACY AND RUMOR
LOMBARD, L. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-013
COMEDY OF TERRORS:
LI, D. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-016
13 CONFESSIONS OF AN ACCUSED CONSPIRACY THEORIST / THE FINANCIALIZATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Meister, R. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-014 · Cited by 1
EPILOGUE
MASCO, J., & Wedeen, L. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-019
16 AFTER MUSLIMS / AUTHORITY, SUSPICION, AND SECRECY IN THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC STATE
Agrama, H. A. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-017 · Cited by 1
04 CONSPIRACY ATTUNEMENT AND CONTEXT / THE CASE OF THE PRESIDENT’S BODY
DAVIS, E. A. (2023) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.1215/9781478027676-005 · Cited by 2

Authors: Keeley, B. L.
Affiliations: Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Corresponding author: Keeley, Brian L.
ORCID: Keeley, Brian L.
Venue: The Journal of Philosophy
Publisher: Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: 1999-03
Volume: 96
Issue: 3
Pages: 109
ISSN: 0022-362X (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.2307/2564659
OpenAlex: W1505155904
Cited by: 581
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 30 · 2025: 50 · 2024: 70 · 2023: 72 · 2022: 80 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 53 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 8
FWCI: 11.20
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: The Journal of Philosophy (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Misinformation and Its Impacts
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
Keywords: conspiracy theories, David Hume, miracles, epistemic warrant, explanation, Watergate, anachronism

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Of Conspiracy Theories

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