People believe in conspiracy theories because of distrust of the mainstream
<
(4 of 5)
Next position >
People believe in conspiracy theories because they are conspiracists
Many of those who believe in conspiracy theories have a worldview that is singularly geared towards supporting them.
<
(1 of 3)
Next argument >
The Argument
Certain people simply subscribe to a conspiracist world view, constantly believing in conspiracy theories.[1] People enter a cycle of belief where they are exposed to conspiracist views more and more, and are then more and more likely to believe them themselves.[2]
Conspiracists do not simply happen to believe in each conspiracy theory they come across, but rather have an altered worldview which means they always elect to explain events as happening due to unseen forces.
A world view of conspiracism also serves to explain why the perceived perpetrators of conspiracy theories are all painted in the same way: monolithic and unrelentingly evil.[3]
This is not to say that everyone who believes in conspiracy theories has a conspiracist world view. However, there are certain parts of the population that everything is interconnected; that there is something behind the visible.[4]
Counter arguments
Premises
[P1] Some people simply have a conspiracist worldview and therefore are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories.