ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part outlines the genealogy of the concept ‘conspiracy theory’ and uncovers the origins of the ambivalence it tends to elicit. It summarizes the field-defining work carried out in cultural, literary and historical studies, has provided key insights informing the surge in scholarly research on conspiracy theory. The part examines philosophical debates on the definition, epistemic justification and ethical status of conspiracy theory, while, by focusing on psychoanalysis and critical theory. It focuses on the cultural dimension of conspiracy theory and explains how anthropological research methods can be used in its study. The part explores the possibilities afforded by social media analysis for large-scale research on the dissemination of conspiracy theories. It deals with a contribution on conceptual history, based on the notion that any inquiry should clarify the concepts and terms it employs at the outset.
