Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International
Pages: 266
•
Trim: 6 x 9⅛
978-1-78660-828-4 • Hardback • November 2018 • $140.00 • (£108.00)
978-1-78660-829-1 • Paperback • November 2018 • $41.00 • (£35.00)
978-1-78660-830-7 • eBook • November 2018 • $38.50 • (£30.00)
Matthew R. X. Dentith is the author of The Philosophy of Conspiracy Theories (2014). He is currently a Fellow in the Institute for Research in the Humanities (ICUB) at the University of Burcharest, where he is working on a research project called “The Ethics of Investigation: When are we obliged to take conspiracy theories seriously?”
Part I The Particularist Turn in the Philosophy of Conspiracy Theories / Introduction M R. X. Dentith / 1. When inferring to a conspiracy theory is the best explanation M R. X. Dentith / 2. Suspicion and Reluctance: Beyond Particularism Patrick Stokes / 3. Reply by Lee Basham / 4. Conclusion: What particularism about conspiracy theories entails M R. X. Dentith / Part II: Diagnosing Conspiracy Theory Theorists / 5. Introduction M R. X. Dentith / 6. Seeking to Cure Everybody Lee Basham and M R. X. Dentith / 7. Conceptual Confusions in Criticisms of Conspiracy Theorising Martin Orr and M R. X. Dentith / 8. Conspiracy Theorists, Social Scientists and the Abuse of Reason Kurtis Hagen / 9. To measure or not to measure? Psychometrics and conspriracy theories Marius Raab / 10. Pathologizing Open Societies Lee Basham / 11. Governing with Feeling: Conspiracy Theories, Contempt, and Affective Governance Virginia Husting / 12. Conspiracy-baiting and anti-rumour campaigns as propaganda David Coady / 13. On some moral costs of conspiracy theory Patrick Stokes / 14. On the moral costs of conspiracy ‘skepticism’ Charles Pigden / 15. What’s right about conspiracy theorising and conspiracy theorists M R. X. Dentith
In our current age of conspiracy, it’s vitally important for everyone – academics, journalists, and engaged citizens – to study and try to understand conspiracy discourse. This provocative book gives us the tools we need to take conspiracy theory seriously.
— Kathryn Olmsted, Professor of History, University of California, Davis
This volume represents an important contribution to the philosophical debate on conspiracy theories. Conspiracies are common, but they are usually revealed by investigative journalists, authorities and individual leakers, not by conspiracy theorists. However, this does not show that conspiracy theories should be dismissed just because they have been labeled as “conspiracy theories”. Rather, we must treat every conspiracy theory according to the evidence. One of the bravest books known to me on the topic.
— Juha Räikkä, Professor of Philosophy, University of Turku
Matthew Dentith is one of the most important social epistemologists studying conspiracy theories. In this fascinating volume, he has assembled many of the top minds studying conspiracy theories to tackle the most important emerging questions regarding conspiracy theories and their study – the answers to which will both satisfy and agitate. This volume is an essential collection for anyone seeking to truly understand conspiracy theories and the people who believe them.
— Joseph Uscinski, University of Miami
Most discussions of conspiracy theory generate far more heat than light. It is a profound relief, then, to see this work published. M R. X. Dentith has here assembled a formidable cast of many of the major figures in philosophical debates about conspiracy theory. For those working in the area – as well as many outside it – this volume is essential reading.
— Chris Fleming, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Western Sydney University
Focussing on the controversy generated by a 2016 Le Monde opinion piece on conspiracy theorising, as well as ongoing debate over the distinction between particularism and generalism about conspiracy theories, this collection, edited by M.R.X. Dentith, brings together the latest and best academic writing about conspiracy theorising. Required reading for anyone interested in the epistemology and ethics of conspiracy theories.
— Steven Clarke, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford
This highly informative volume
fully justifies its title. The origin
of the notion of conspiracy theory
goes back to reactions to the official
report on the assassination of JFK,
and was coined by the CIA as a
rhetorical device to discredit those
who questioned the official line. As
such, it has been extremely effective,
and is represented in this volume
— Paradigm Explorer