5 | Psychology of Conspiracy Theories & The Limits of Science ~ Michael Shermer

On Humans

Why do conspiracy theories seduce the minds of so many?

Michael Shermer is a historian of science, best-selling author, founder of the Skeptic Society, and the host of a popular science podcast, Michael Shermer Show. His most recent book, Conspiracy, explores the causes and consequences of human gullibility regarding conspiracies.

Ilari and Dr Shermer discuss the psychological reasons behind conspiracy theories, and what to do about them. This discussion touches upon topics from QAnon to flat earth, and from the 2020 election to the war in Ukraine.

All of this does raise a question, though. What if we are both wrong? What if it is the conspiracists who have the truth? How would we know? Beyond just conspiracies, this discussion touches upon the very promise and danger of scientific scepticism. In the end, Ilari and Dr Shermer explore the very limits of the territory, in which we should use science as our guide. This is a discussion that ultimately relates to the role that science can play in moral progress - a topic explored by Shermer in his 2015 book, The Moral Arc.

Referenced works

• Whitson and Galinsky’s experiment on pattern recognition
• See also: A meta-analysis of similar experiments, which is critical of the original findings, but does find some similar effects
• Princeton study on rejection and conspiratorial tendencies
• Poll on 33% of Americans believing in 5G Dakota Crash is from work by Chrisopher Bader
• Ivan Krastev’s interview with Ezra Klein

Referenced conspiracy theories and related terms

• JFK Assassination
• January 6th Insurrection and the claim that the 2020 election was rigged
• The claim that Emmy Awards in 2004 and 2005 were rigged when the Apprentice lost against Amazing Race.
• QAnon
• OJ Simpson trials
• Flat earth -theories
• Holocaust denials
• 5G Dakota Crash

Other technical terms:

• Bayesian thinking
• Type II and Type I errors (in statistics)
• Theraplay
• Is-ought gap (similar to the naturalistic fallacy)

Other names mentioned:

• Edward Snowden
• Carl Sagan
• Bill Bar
• Deepak Chopra
• Thomas Sowell