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Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition! More Thoughts on Conspiracy Theory
Author(s) -
Keeley Brian L.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of social philosophy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.353
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1467-9833
pISSN - 0047-2786
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9833.00168
Subject(s) - nobody , citation , epistemology , sociology , philosophy , computer science , library science , operating system
word count= 164) The event of Lee Basham's essay "Malevolent Global Conspiracy" is used to reflect further on the epistemic status of attempts to explain social phenomena by means of conspiracies. After presenting an update on the status of conspiracy theories surrounding the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, I synopsize the philosophical problem of conspiracy theories and amplify Basham's discussion. I agree with Basham that falsification and paranoia are not an effective way to criticize conspiratorial thinking. However, I am not convinced with the case he presents against worries that conspiracy theories often falter by overestimating the ability of large, public institutions to be secretly and effectively controlled. The historical record, upon which much of Basham's argument relies, can be read as suggesting that malevolent global action can be effectively carried out in full public view, obviating recourse to conspiracy. However, all told, Basham has introduced a number of interesting new arguments about conspiracy theories that merit further consideration by those interested in practical epistemology.