SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Bjerg O, Presskorn-Thygesen T. Theory Cult. Soc. 2017; 34(1): 137-159.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0263276416657880

PMID

unavailable

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.


Language: en

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print