Cognition, Blending and Evolution of Conspiracy Theories
Palavras-chave:
Blending, Conceptual evolution, Conceptual Integration, Conspiracy Theory, Narrative, ScenarioResumo
This article applies methods of Cognitive Linguistic Analysis, specifically Blending Theory and Conceptual Evolution Theory to Conspiracy Theories (CTs). It outlines the conceptual elements of CTs and their function as building blocks for a narratively presented pseudo-argument. In the place of building a (practical-)logical connection between premises and conclusions, CTs project a figurative story onto a disturbing crisis event or state of affairs, which is suspected of being covered up by official authority statements. Although both elements of CTs (crisis account and conspiracy backstory) have little factual basis and are shrouded in speculation, they are presented so as to confirm each other, providing a seemingly perfect explanation of the crisis and outlining its solution. Blending analysis shows how an integration of diverse input CTs produces new emergent CT scenarios that motivate believers to engage in political activism. Conceptual evolution theory also highlights CTs’ adaptive potential to seemingly fit new experiences. Together, the two cognitive approaches provide avenues for a better understanding of the conceptual development of CTs and of the chances for countering their dissemination.
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