B1 Vertaisarvioimaton kirjoitus tieteellisessä lehdessä
Why a Pejorative Definition of “Conspiracy Theory” Need Not Be Unfair
Tekijät: Räikkä Juha
Kustantaja: SERRC
Julkaisuvuosi: 2023
Journal: Social Epistemology Review and Reply Collective
Lehden akronyymi: SERRC
Vuosikerta: 12
Numero: 5
Aloitussivu: 57
Lopetussivu: 65
eISSN: 2471-9560
Verkko-osoite: https://wp.me/p1Bfg0-7Pf.
Rinnakkaistallenteen osoite: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/179632287
Preprintin osoite: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/179632287
Because of the pejorative connotation of the concept of “conspiracy theory”, many philosophers have proposed that the concept should be redefined. Their worry is that if conspiracy theories are considered implausible by definition, then the theories cannot get fair treatment and will be rejected for just being conspiracy theories. In this paper, I argue that this worry is unfounded. Accepting a pejorative definition of the term “conspiracy theory” allows for individual conspiracy theories to be investigated properly and in accordance with good research practices. However, not all conspiracy theories deserve further investigations. For example, it would be irrational, unethical, and unrewarding to study the alleged conspiracy of space lizards.
Ladattava julkaisu This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |