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Is Conspiracy Theorizing Really Epistemically Problematic?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2020

Kurtis Hagen Open the ORCID record for Kurtis Hagen [Opens in a new window]
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Abstract

In an article based on a recent address to the Royal Institute of Philosophy, Keith Harris has argued that there is something epistemically wrong with conspiracy theorizing. Although he finds “standard criticisms” of conspiracy theories wanting, he argues that there are three subtle but significant problems with conspiracy theorizing: (1) It relies on an invalid probabilistic version of modus tollens. (2) It involves a problematic combination of both epistemic virtues and vices. And (3) it lacks an adequate basis for trust in its information sources. In response to Harris, this article argues that, like previous criticisms, these criticisms do little to undermine conspiracy theorizing as such. And they do not give us good reasons to dismiss any particular conspiracy theory without consideration of the relevant evidence.

Keywords

Conspiracy theoriesphilosophyepistemologygeneralismmediabias

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Article
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Episteme , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , June 2022 , pp. 197 - 219
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Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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