ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on two more articles which are critical of conspiracy theorists and conspiracy theorizing; those of Brian L. Keeley and Steve Clarke. Conspiracy theories can be found at both ends of this spectrum, as well as at various points in between. Holocaust denial is one, unfortunately widespread, example of a conspiracy theory at the latter end of the spectrum, and critics of conspiracy theories are often keen to cite this as a paradigm of conspiracy theorizing. Keeley is right that conspiracy theories often attempt to explain data which is not explained by, or which is apparently in conflict with, the received alternative. Conspiracy theories resemble traditional skeptical hypotheses, such as Descartes’s evil demon hypothesis, as well as the more modern brain-in-a-vat hypothesis. Both the media and the academy are, in virtue of their power to influence opinion, sources of official stories as well.
