Brian Keeley: Of Conspiracy Theories

About this event

In this session, we’ll explore Brian Keeley’s influential essay Of Conspiracy Theories. Keeley examines a question that feels especially urgent today: are conspiracy theories always irrational, or can some be justified? Challenging the common view that conspiracy thinking is inherently flawed, he argues that certain conspiracy theories may actually be reasonable depending on the evidence available. At the same time, he highlights the risks of accepting them too readily, especially when they conflict with established sources of knowledge. Rather than giving a simple rule for dismissing or accepting conspiracy theories, Keeley shows how difficult it is to draw the line between healthy skepticism and unwarranted suspicion—and why this tension matters for how we form beliefs in a complex, information-rich world. We’ll discuss questions such as • What distinguishes a conspiracy theory from a legitimate explanation? • When, if ever, should we take conspiracy theories seriously? • How should we balance skepticism with trust in institutions and evidence? 📄 Free reading (PDF) Of Conspiracy Theories by Brian Keeley (https://www.penncerl.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Keeley_1999_Of-Conspiracy-Theories.pdf) Looking forward to seeing you!