Conspiracy Theory: Truth Claim or Language Game?

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    Abstract

    The paper is a contribution to current debates about conspiracy theories within philosophy and cultural studies. Wittgenstein’s understanding of language is invoked to analyse the epistemological effects of designating particular questions and explanations as a ‘conspiracy theory’. It is demonstrated how such a designation relegates these questions and explanations beyond the realm of meaningful discourse. In addition, Agamben’s concept of sovereignty is applied to explore the political effects of using the concept of conspiracy theory. The exceptional epistemological status assigned to alleged conspiracy theories within our prevalent paradigms of knowledge and truth is compared to the exceptional legal status assigned to individuals accused of terrorism under the War on Terror. The paper concludes by discussing the relation between conspiracy theory and ‘the paranoid style’ in contemporary politics
    OriginalsprogEngelsk
    TidsskriftTheory, Culture & Society
    Vol/bind34
    Udgave nummer1
    Sider (fra-til)137-159
    Antal sider23
    ISSN0263-2764
    DOI
    StatusUdgivet - jan. 2017

    Emneord

    • Agamben
    • Contemporary politics
    • Epistemology
    • State of emergency
    • Terrorism
    • Wittgenstein

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