Where do conspiracy theories come from?  Why do people believe them?  What do they mean?  Did the CIA drug people with LSD against their will?  Is Queen Elizabeth a reptilian?  We consider the merits and pitfalls of conspiracy theories, trace the history and evolution of the conspiratorial tradition from rumors about lepers in the 1300s to Alex Jones and Q-Anon, and examine the biases and double standards built into the very concept of “conspiracy theories.”  This is it: the most thorough, fair, and impartial examination of conspiracy theories that you will ever find anywhere.

Suggested Further Reading:  Uscinski & Parent, "American Conspiracy Theories";  Kathryn Olmsted, "Real Enemies";  Jesse Walker, "United States of Paranoia";  Machiavelli, The Discourses, Book III;  David Coady, "Conspiracy theory as heresy," in "Educational Philosophy and Psychology," 2021