Library:Conspiracy
| Conspiracy | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Shermer |
| First published | 2022 |
| ISBN | 978-1-4214-4445-1 unverified |
| Role | Analysis |
| Domains | Culture, Religion & Society Politics & Elections |
| Tactics | Conspiracy Theory |
Conspiracy is a 2022 book by Michael Shermer.
Summary
Michael Shermer, founding publisher of Skeptic magazine, explores why people believe conspiracy theories. The book's subtitle is Why the Rational Believe the Irrational.
Real conspiracies
Shermer emphasizes that some conspiracies are real, such as Watergate and the Tuskegee syphilis study, and that suspicion of powerful institutions can be rational. He argues this helps explain why conspiracy thinking is so common.
Explanations
He discusses psychological factors, including the tendency to see patterns and agency where none exists, and social factors, such as group identity and distrust of authority. He distinguishes between "constructive conspiracism," a reasonable alertness to possible plots, and beliefs that persist despite evidence.
Evaluating claims
Shermer offers criteria for judging whether a conspiracy theory is likely to be true, such as how many people would need to keep a secret, how competent they would need to be and whether the theory grows to explain away contrary evidence. He also discusses how to talk with people who believe conspiracy theories.
Relevance to Bullshitopedia
The book provides tools for distinguishing real conspiracies from implausible theories, relevant to many conspiracy-theory entries in Bullshitopedia.