When explaining conspiracy theory we could actually go in reverse and point out that the above mentioned principles (see chapter 4) for making sense of information are not being met by conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy theory mostly use as the evidence that passed the “Straw in the wind” test. 

As an example: someone could have profit from it and so he/she did. But this is not neither sufficient nor necessary evidence to prove the hypothesis (see the above).

Conspiracy theories are mostly violating the above mentioned principles by:

·         Using manipulative techniques and arguments (see Module 2)

o   Fake experts, scapegoating  (finding common enemy), ad-hominem attacks

o   False dichotomies (“either-or fallacy” argument): dismissing one option the conspiracy theory is seemingly providing prove for second option (without seeing other option(s))

o   Logical fallacy & incoherence:

Ø to be able to overcome these you in many cases need to have deeper (at least to some extend) understanding of the issue otherwise you will not be able to see thought the false dichotomy or logical fallacy “arguments”

-      as logic is based on available data and information (see Module 2), if you do not have access to relevant knowledge about the issue you are actually not able to see the gaps in the arguments

·         Conspiracy theories are often supported by fake information

o   But on the other hand there is often mistakenly perceived that conspiracy theory have to be based on fake information. That does not have to be the case (false dichotomies and logical fallacy could be used based on facts)

·         Conspiracy theories are Incoherent (see above)

·         Conspiracy do not see (understand) the assumption they are based on (see above)

·         Conspiracy theories propagators are using doubt to lead us off

o   Using doubt as a false argument (actually a False dichotomy) ignoring the relevant evidence (ignoring the real weight and relevance of evidence)

§  that it could be some other cause (something else), that the scientific evidence is uncertain

§  connected with overwhelming the public discourse with abundance of “evidence” (valid or/and fake) (see Representativeness bias in Module 2)

o   Doubt is well documented to be used by Tabaco industry and climate change denials as one of the main tool to spread disinformation [1]

[1] You can find research papers concerning this issue or this topic was quite well adapted by BBC series How They Made Us Doubt Everything.