Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy

theories 

philosophy of conspiracy theories

Conspiracy theories can be classified as a form of counter-enlightenment. I am interested in the cognitive and emotional processes which can lead towards an attraction in conspiracy theories. Currently I investigate if patterns of conspiracy-theories can be compared to patterns of psychopathology. Mainly I am interested in the patterns of:
- Narcissism
- Delusions
- Anxiety
Such a comparison does not claim that conspiracy-theories are psychopathological, nor does it claim that conspiracy-theorists suffer from the respective psychopathologies. However, focusing on a person’s ideological framework might lead to the presumption that a conspiracy-theorist has a specifically different or changed pattern of cognition compared to a non-conspiracy-theorist. My investigation focuses on the exploration of possible candidates of such patterns and compares them to psychopathological changes in cognition.  

Philosophy provides a vast amount of different approaches towards conspiracy theories. My focus lies in clarifying the philosophy of mind of conspiracy theories to understand the specific epistemological displacement and change in scientific theory and logic as well as notably the shift of meaning of various terms and phrases like e.g. "freedom", "Querdenken", "fake news" or "truth".  From there I try to shed light on questions from social philosophy and ethics towards conspiracy theories like:


  • How do conspiracy theories lead to a kind of counter-enlightenment? 
  • What could be done in social media to prevent the spreading of fake news and conspiracy theories?
  • Can a different kind of education lead to a resistance against conspiracy theories?
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