Robert Anton Wilson once stated that it is hardly possible to deal with an open mind and open to conspiracy theories. The conspiracy theories associated with attitudes of acceptance or rejection in most cases, rigid patterns and mechanical responses to questioning. Opponents of conspiracy theories seek swiftly replaced by the paranoid: someone who considers possible conspiracies, is provided to mental health into question. The people, however, are of the opinion to be able to demonstrate by special cunning one world-embracing conspiracy, will begin to demand so critical to label as an agent of the other side, trying to hide the truth by hollow niceties. From whatever side you are so conspiracy theories, approaches to care should be taken to enter minefields.
a possible unbiased access examines Thomas Grüter on the subject. The author, a trained doctor and later founded a software company in Münster, takes its starting point in the theoretical foundations of conspiracy and stated the same definitional initially an instance of maladministration. Ergo the time being interested in the question of what constitutes a conspiracy theory at all. Here the author develops a tripartite division of terms that are related, but as not all criteria must be met. Only in its completeness results in the imaginary concrete conspiracy. At the beginning there is the belief conspiracy, the diffuse idea, then, a more or less definite group could arrange for criminal acts. The next step will Grüter the concept of conspiracy Legend one, the interpretations of specific events in terms of conspiracy beliefs describes. Finally, the term of the conspiracy theory. In it, several conspiracy legends in terms of a conspiracy faith in a logical, but pseudo-scientific context are brought. Pseudo-scientific Grüter says according to the criteria of Karl Popper, following the most important category for a scientific theory is its Falsifiziertbarkeit ". It must be refuted, others must review and, where appropriate, may reject" (p.52)
After a clear analytical approach, the author probably a little skid, as conspiracy theories will of course be refuted, therefore, strictly speaking can scientifically. Whether it can convince their followers, however, stands on a different account. Both the theory and its negotiation would have to be separated much more accurate.
out in support of its analytical tripartite division of Grüter a myriad of conspiracies, both historical and current today. It turns out that the categories developed by him are truly viable. Whether it is the ominous thought emergence of AIDS, the attack on the World Trade Center or the role of Freemasons and Illuminati is in world history: It is all conspiracy theories have in their constituents assign the categories. To
the structure of successful conspiracy theories to further illustrate, the author knits a unique and very entertaining story that shows sufficient, how these structures of thought. A relaxed and playful approach to conspiracy could be inferred, but remains below.
It will certainly not deny the author per se, there is no conspiratorial agreements. Also, there is evidence of conspiracies, such as the assassination of Caesar.
With the belief in a conspiracy is usually accompanied by another phenomenon, the paranoia. On this terrain, the author tries to move with caution, explicit Package convictions are omitted, although they are implicit in selection and presentation of examples of advance is made.
Some of the fatal cases in which the entanglement of faith and conspiracy paranoia, coupled with power, have caused great harm, are treated in detail part of the book. After an introduction to the (clinical) nature of illusion, the cases of Heinrich Kramer (author of the Malleus Maleficarum ), Josef Stalin (Russian dictator, who found himself surrounded his life of conspiracies) and Joseph McCarthy (a paranoid "Communists hunters" in America in the 50s) were examined. Obvious this is the danger of the combination of paranoia and power. This can be considered unlimited, although this association does not necessarily coincide with conspiracy faith together. In the above cases is, however, exclusively those and this selection certainly the theme of the book and the preferences of the author is owed. But here a further distinction would have been interesting. Not only the persecution complex, and several other forms of mania can be very dangerous, they are coupled with political power. Just think of the delusion of jealousy, the size or the querulous delusion. The belief in conspiracies is an incidental phenomenon be, but need not. Through the selection of cases and the nature of mental derive a pathologizing of Konspirationsglaubens are encouraged where's the connection between power and madness meant.
SO has the work of Thomas Grüter analyzed a total of an interesting theoretical approach, with both conspiracy theories can be created as well. In addition, there are a host of easy to read recycled conspiracy theories. The covers on the psychopathology could be shown, however sophisticated and often unintentional humor is missing, the conspiracy theories can be our own. The above paraphrased
Wilsonian dictum of mechanical responses remains valid even in much of this work.
