Rozin V.M. Plausible conspiracy theories (discourse analysis)

Abstract: This article analyzes one of the types of conspiracy discourse, to which the author refers as “plausible”. These discourses can be quite complicated, thus for their argumentation use modern scientific knowledge, namely economic, social, political, and psychological. They are addressed to the more educated audience, who is at least partially acquainted with these scientific disciplines. The author demonstrates the examples of plausible discourses and the possible attitude towards them. It is illustrated that such theories help the contemporary individual build the world, where one can live and solve their problems – a world that meets the interest of the specific person. In the end, the author examines the social, hermeneutic, and axiological peculiarities of the plausible conspiracy discourses. The author introduces and analyzes the new type of conspiracy theory, as well as demonstrates that a conspiracy discourse suggests interpretation, and due to the latter this discourse gets various evaluations. The plausible conspiracy theories should be considered in two aspects – psychological and social.

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