Research output per year
Research output per year
Abstract
According to a naturalist conception of what counts as a disorder, conspiracy beliefs are pathological beliefs if they are the outcome of a cognitive dysfunction. In this article, I take issue with the view that it is pathological to believe a conspiracy theory. After reviewing several approaches to the aetiology of conspiracy beliefs, I find that no approach compels us to view conspiracy beliefs as the outcome of a dysfunction: a speaker's conspiracy beliefs can appear as implausible and unshakeable to an interpreter, but in a naturalist framework it is not pathological for the speaker to adopt and maintain such beliefs.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 749-755 |
| Journal | Transcultural Psychiatry |
| Volume | 61 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 1 Aug 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2024 |
Keywords
- cognitive dysfunction
- conspiracy theories
- implausibility
- pathology
- unshakeability
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Fake Plots: un juego para ‘vacunar’ a los jóvenes contra la desinformación y las teorías de la conspiración
Ichino, A., Bortolotti, L., Zambra, F., Tarantola, D. & Ceravolo, P., 5 Jul 2024, In: Pensar Juntos. 8, p. 1-19 19 p., 8.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Fake Plots: the game: A game to help us recognise misinformation online and conspiracy theories
Ichino, A. (Developer), Bortolotti, L. (Contributor), Effingham, N. (Contributor), Zambra, F. (Contributor), Ceravolo, P. (Developer) & Tarantola, D. (Developer), 2024Research output: Non-textual form › Digital or Visual Products
Open Access -
The Ant and the Grasshopper: How do conspiracy theories take hold?
Bortolotti, L., 15 Jun 2023Research output: Non-textual form › Digital or Visual Products
Open Access
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Talk and debate for schools in the Birmingham area
Bortolotti, L. (Invited speaker)
13 Oct 2025Activity: Engagement and Public events › Engagement event
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7th Urbino Summer School in Epistemology
Bortolotti, L. (Invited speaker)
25 Aug 2025 → 27 Aug 2025Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Conference, workshop or symposium
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The Philosophy Garden: In the mind of a conspiracy theorist
Bortolotti, L. (Invited speaker)
26 Jun 2023Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Conference, workshop or symposium
Press/Media
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Know someone who believes unfounded COVID-19 theories? Here's how to talk to them about it
25/02/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Siamo tutti complottisti?
Bortolotti, L. & Ichino, A.
12/01/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Conspiracy theories may seem irrational – but they fulfill a basic human need
Bortolotti, L. & Ichino, A.
9/12/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media