Conspiracy Theorists’ World and Genealogy

Conspiracy theories pose a serious threat to our society these days. People often dismiss conspiracy theory believers as at best gullible or, more often, unintelligent. However, there are cases in which individuals end up believing conspiracy theories out of no epistemic fault of their own. In this paper, I want to offer a diagnosis of the problem by focusing on the genealogy of the conspiracy theory beliefs. Drawing on a novel interpretation of Nietzsche’s use of genealogies, I argue that the problem of belief in conspiracy theories is best understood as a broadly political one regarding the oppressive, dominating and exploitative world in which conspiracy theory believers find themselves in. I then draw on the work of Maria Lugones, the feminist philosopher, to offer an approach to addressing the problem of belief in conspiracy theories, which recommends radical humility and playfulness.