Conspiracy theorists and suicide bombers - do they have some similarities?

Warrigal

Warrigal

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Conspiracy theorists aren’t "mad" they just have certain “intellectual character traits” that make them believe certain things, a professor has said.

Quassim Cassam, a professor of philosophy at the University of Warwick, has launched a new study into what makes people believe in certain theories – and why such theories could push people to extremes such as joining Isis.
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Interested? Read full article here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...ories-10427940.html?google_editors_picks=true
 

I know LBJ had Kennedy assassinated and I don't care what some dumb professor has to say. Now, I have to pay a visit to my garden...
 
Cruel, very cruel. And as a matter of fact I have small case now, but not where you hoped I'd have it...
 
Certain beliefs might be a contributing factor to drive some one to become a suicide bomber but a theory is just that. I think the professor is confusing the words belief and conspiracy. A bit of a leap. Radicalism is probably the result of the right confluence of events, experiences, education, religion, politics, economics(which could include rich guilt as well poor frustration).
 
IMHO skepticism is the hallmark of the rational thinker. The number of statements that stand the test of time is such a tiny minority of all the statements that get made that it really behooves us to assume any statement false until proven true. Conspiracy theorists are sadly deficient in skepticism. I was really startled some time ago to learn that my first wife, who has a PhD has become a conspiracy theorist extraordinaire.
 
Josiah said:
IMHO skepticism is the hallmark of the rational thinker. The number of statements that stand the test of time is such a tiny minority of all the statements that get made that it really behooves us to assume any statement false until proven true. Conspiracy theorists are sadly deficient in skepticism. I was really startled some time ago to learn that my first wife, who has a PhD has become a conspiracy theorist extraordinaire.
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A lot like to jump on a band wagon hook, line and sinker without any thought. They leap before they look. I see this with a lot of causes or movements in general. Tunnel vision, biased thinking and/or blind loyalty to the cause, religion or political party.
 
I am not certain that having a PHD necessitates being a skeptic. I have one, and while not a conspiracy theorist, neither do I embrace a logical linear world where all must be proven in order to have value. I prefer to be like Einstein, who preached the value of exposing small children to fairy stories as an essential tool in the development of imagination. He too, believed in thinking outside the box. I embrace both logic and mystery, just as he did.
 
I like your answer Shali. We all need stories. Even engineers' logic has moved on from purely linear models. Fuzzy logic is what humans are very good at.

On the other hand, I find conspiracy theories totally illogical because they generally fall outside rationality and lived experience.
 
I think it is hoped to clarify the process of radicalisation that leads to extreme action such as becoming a suicide bomber, or a random killer of strangers. Understanding the process may enable intervention before it is too late.
 
Dame Warrigal said:
I think it is hoped to clarify the process of radicalisation that leads to extreme action such as becoming a suicide bomber, or a random killer of strangers. Understanding the process may enable intervention before it is too late.
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Being a radical or holding 'radical' views are two different things. The biggest difference being the radicals or fanatics act out in the name of their views, cause, religion etc. I think the study is looking for something that isn't there. Same for someone believing in "a" conspiracy vs one who thinks every thing is the result a big massive conspiracy. I believe the shrinks call that paranoia.
 
Often paranoia is a process. Not everyone reaches that state as a result of paranoid schizophrenia, or other such recognizable mental illnesses. A so-called normal person can be exposed to a variety of life-altering events that can lead them down this path.The same holds true for fanaticism. If we study the process of radicalisation, perhaps we will be able to avoid or arrest the process in some cases with the obvious benefits to all concerned. What is the viable alternative, while still retaining some of our humanity?
 

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