Trend for conspiratorial explanations as an aspect of modern life

Abstract

This article discusses the causes of current interest in conspiratorial explanations, called by the author a conspiracy discourse. In the latter, he defines interpretation of the problem as plot of a particular malign subject, debunker of such plot, and audience of the debunker. The three main causes of interests in conspiratorial explanations are highlighted: simple cause-and-effect explanations of complex phenomena, propensity to the values of mistrust and conflict, opportunity to use conspiracy discourses for technological purposes. The author attributes conspiracy knowledge to humanities and social, and thus, discusses the criteria of their efficiency and objectivity. The article implements the following research methodology: articulation of the problem, situational and comparative analyses, reconstruction and interpretation of texts, structuring of concepts. As a result, the author was able to characterize the conspiracy discourse, justify the current scientific and cultural interest to it, and causes of such interests, as well as connect these causes with the current situation. The article views conspiracy movement as an intrinsic aspect of modern state of our civilization that undergoes a deep crisis.