Modern conspiracy : the importance of being paranoid / Emma A. Jane and Chris Fleming.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jane, Emma A.

Contributor:

Fleming, Chris, 1970-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Conspiracy theories.

Conspiracies--Philosophy.

Conspiracies.

Philosophy.

Physical Description:

172 pages ; 20 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Bloomsbury Academic, 2014.

Summary:

"While conspiracy theory is often characterized in terms of the collapse of objectivity and Enlightenment reason, Modern Conspiracy traces the important role of conspiracy in the formation of the modern world: the scientific revolution, social contract theory, political sovereignty, religious paranoia and mass communication media. Rather than seeing the imminent death of Enlightenment reason and a regression to a new Dark Age in conspiratorial thinking, Modern Conspiracy suggests that many characteristic features of conspiracies tap very deeply into the history of the Enlightenment: its vociferous critique of established authorities and a conception of political sovereignty fuelled by fear of counter-plots, for example. Perhaps, ultimately, conspiracy theory affords us a renewed opportunity to reflect on our very relationship to the truth itself"-- Provided by publisher.

"Modern Conspiracy attempts to sketch a new conception of conspiracy theory. Where many commentators have sought to characterize conspiracy theory in terms of the collapse of objectivity and Enlightenment reason, Fleming and Jane trace the important role of conspiracy in the formation of the modern world: the scientific revolution, social contract theory, political sovereignty, religious paranoia and mass communication media. Rather than see in conspiratorial thinking the imminent death of Enlightenment reason, and a regression to a new Dark Age, Modern Conspiracy contends that many characteristic features of conspiracies tap very deeply into the history of the Enlightenment itself: among other things, its vociferous critique of established authorities, and a conception of political sovereignty fuelled by fear of counter-plots. Drawing out the roots of modern conspiratorial thinking leads us to truths less salacious and scandalous than the claims of conspiracy theorists themselves yet ultimately far more salutary: about mass communication; about individual and crowd psychology; and about our conception of and relation to knowledge. Perhaps, ultimately, what conspiracy theory affords us is a renewed opportunity to reflect on our very relationship to the truth itself"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction: Running Dogs and the 'Rightness' of Conspiracy

1. Powerful Secrets

2. Impossible Things

3. A Short History of an Epistemic Ambience

4. Pleasures, Sorrows, and Doubling

5. Cultural Ramifications and Reflections

6. Conspiracy and Theory

Conclusion: Where to Now?.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 140-157) and index.

ISBN:

9781623566814

1623566819

9781623560911

1623560918

OCLC:

886380442