Conspiracy Theories And Their History And Influence On Modern Day Society

Brian Keeley’s short essay, “Of Conspiracy Theories” discusses conspiracy theories and their value in an epistemological context. Keeley defines a conspiracy theory as “a proposed explanation of some historical event (or events) in terms of the significant causal agency of a relatively small group of persons-the conspirators-acting in secret (Keeley 1999, pg. 116).” Keeley seeks to answer the question of why conspiracy theories are unwarranted. His interest in the warrant of conspiracy theories focuses on ¬the unfalsifiability of conspiracy theories and how conspiracy theories are founded upon an extraordinarily large amount of skepticism. In section III, Keely discusses what a conspiracy theory is, and contends that there is no grounds for

In the world today there are events that happen and have stories untold. On the rise are many different twists that come about from events happening. “63 percent of registered American voters believe in at least one political conspiracy theory according to a recent poll conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University” (“Theories Prosper”). There are many different conspiracy theories in the world today including, included in the top ten lists of conspiracy theories is the Sandy Hook elementary shooting, the Boston Marathon bombings, as well as the September 11th terrorist attacks. Ever wonder how a conspiracy theory comes alive and what is all needed to justify the meaning of a conspiracy theory?

Ever heard a story so outlandish that you start to wonder if that could possibly ever happen. Well you’ve just been told a conspiracy theory, but do not worry. Many people don’t just wonder about them, they believe in them. There is a great many reason of why this is, there have even been studies done on it. Many scientists concede that people believe in conspiracy theories because they have some uncertainty or fear with in them, and the conspiracy is a way to relieve themselves. They also believe that mistrust has a huge roll in people believing, especially mistrust in huge corporations and big bodies of power such as the government. But fear and mistrust aren’t the only reasons. People also just love a good story, something that is complex and has a lot of action. I mean no one goes to the movie to see a movie about paint drying. They want drama, romance, and lots of action. That’s why people are so compelled into believing conspiracy theories.

People come up with crazy ideas all the time, many of which are torn apart by scientific evidence. However, some ideas are crafted so precisely and detailed; they are accepted as fact by millions of people. These alternatives to accepted history are known as Conspiracy Theories, and the people who create them are of a special breed. It is difficult to imagine having the time and passion to craft an alternative reason behind many of the world’s events and tragedies, but these people are born to do so. There is a specific recipe for such a person, a carefully crafted powerful concoction that breeds the hatred for government and the quest for the “truth”. Such people have been around for thousands of years,

Conspiracy Rising: Conspiracy Thinking and American Public Life questions the popularity of conspiracy post 9/11 and government secrecy which calls for analysis of comparative work of prior historians. Martha Lee, professor of political science at the University of Windsor, observes current obsession over President Obama's birthplace as a replacement for government involvement in 9/11. However, she argues that although conspiracy changes through different events, the cause for it remains similar to those of the 19th century. Lee, in the first part of the article, explains her deep appreciation to Knight’s work. As his work shows the global changes in political, economic, and social structures that produce fear and anxiety among society. Lee

Conspiracy theories are capturing, they make your mind buzz with intense thoughts. The world of conspiracies stretches out on smooth marble paths for miles, branching out on every side. They’re winding roads of opportunity and mystery, each one a new idea to read. In this essay, I will be

Enraged by the bombings, the United States government responded by raiding the headquarters of radical organizations and arresting thousands of suspected radicals. Several thousand who were aliens were deported. The largest raids occurred on January 2, 1920 when over 4000 suspected radicals were seized nationwide. Over 800 were arrested in New England from locations that included Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Fitchburg, Lawrence, and Lynn.

To be sure, in virtually every major conspiracy case to come before the Court since 1987, the government has won convincingly, often times with nary a dissent. My own view is that the Supreme Court has unwisely embraced so enthusiastically both the conspiracy doctrine and the manner in which it is prosecuted. In the major conspiracy cases I discuss below, I contend that the prudent course here was not to do what the Justices did: strongly support, in almost every instance, the government position and ignore the reach of the conspiracy offense, a reach which continues to expand. Moreover, it was not at all clear in these cases that an even-handed approach would have necessarily led to the broad reaffirmation of conspiracy doctrine and rules of practice. Still, in reading these cases, one is struck by just how strongly the Justices have spoken in supporting such prosecutions. It is to those cases, and the rationale for them, to which I will soon turn in this

To most a fairy tale, to some an interesting topic of discussion, however, to a small population, 5 % to be exact, Government conspiracy does exist. How, you might ask, do I intend to prove that indeed government conspiracy is real? I do not intend to prove it. In fact I only intend to inform you of its ever growing ploy of world domination, capitalism and control and open your mind to the idea that government conspiracy is out there. Throughout history as it is known to repeat itself, I will show facts that support this “theory” and dismiss the legendary lies we have been taught to believe through a system known as memetics.

One of the many flaws human beings posses is the incessant need to be right. Whether its over an important issue like whether or not God exists, or a petty argument over who sang a song better, it is natural instinct to fight in favor of our opinions. Just look at the comment section on YouTube, or the replies to a celebrity’s tweets, and there will be hundreds of posts where people are calling others’ opinions dumb, and saying that only their opinion is right. What many of these people do not realize is that the reasoning behind their opinions rely on logical fallacies. This same trend can also be found in many articles that analyze conspiracy theories because many of them base their evidence off of logical fallacies. When the author uses

Topic 1: The Witch Hunts Witch Hunts during the post middle ages were a tragic event that led to many people to be falsely accused for the act of witchcraft and devil worship. During the 15th to the 18th centuries Europe experienced a dramatic changed in socitity as it faced the Renascence, the Protestant Reformation, and the culmination of diverse societies, this would lead to the Church and many other Europeans weary of the supernatural to find and purge anyone who would be in league with the Satanic Cult. Since those who were accused of portraying to be a servant of the Devil, would be put on trial for their crime and would be subject to many forms of punishing trials that led to over 40,000 people were put to death. Since the belief of magic was popular during those times, the higher social class would be involved in developing the idea of Devil

Dickey states, “It validates your paranoia, which paradoxically confirms you’re not paranoid. And most dangerous of all, it affirms your sense that things are hopeless, while absolving you from having to do anything about it.” (Dickey, 2017, p.26) This unfortunate series of events lends itself to a type of mental captivity in which people subscribe to a particular conspiracy while neglecting and becoming apathetic in facing their own personal demons. It gives a bit of respite for these conspirators who believe in these conspiracies while at the same time refusing to accept any form of contradictory information. Conspiracy theorists not only have deeply immersed themselves in their own conclusions of the world but have made connections where there was truly none to begin with. This confirmation bias is attributed to what Kline refers to as Jungian complex of ego and self. “Such delusions derive from a state of ego–Self- identity which assumes that oneself is the center of the universe and hence attaches private significance to outer events which are in fact totally indifferent to one’s existence.” (Kline, 2017, p.190) The subject tends to derive delusions based on what is perceived and what is actually happening. The strong willingness to believe in the outer forces that have contributed to some sort of suffering or trauma is reenergized in the face of opposing viewpoints not

Since the dawn of time, humans have fought to discover the truth about the world around us. In spite of the society's opinion or its denial of factual evidence, the strongest among us still prevail with the truth. Those who prevail write conspiracy theories for those who are too weak to do it themselves. In turn, the weak must read these conspiracy theories and become enlightened. In this way, we as a society will finally learn the truth about the biggest, most influential lies that plague our world. The top 4 conspiracy theories that meet this criteria are both eye-opening and life changing. They must not go unacknowledged.

There are a lot of ways a conspiracy theory can form. Let's say, for example, that my friend Justin one day decides to kill several people in his neighborhood then kills himself. Keeping with the example, as far as the evidence and as we know he did this on his own accord with no prior signs of involvement with any radical group or radical behavior. One would assume that would be the end of the story right? The suspect is dead and the intentions are clear and there is no motive. Most would be content with this, but some aren't.

2.1 Socio-psychological cause Because of the fact that conspiracy theories appear in every society and to every epoch and have become a steady companion of human culture, some authors speak about an „anthropological constant“ of the conspiracy theories. These would correspond to a basic human need for world orientation and, therefore, are to be found in every age in all societies of the world. From the social-psychologically perspective, conspiracy theories fulfill the function to reduce the complexity of such perplexing events like crises or wars, thus making the understanding of such events more accessible. Among other things, "conspiracy theory" is fascinating; unlike the theories explaining the universe with an action of the blind, impersonal forces she is full of dramatic nature, and therefore any conspiracy explanation other things being equal