Impossible Knowledge: Conspiracy Theories, Power, and Truth

Book Details

• Publisher: Routledge

• Author: Todor Hristov

• Language: English

• Edition: 1

• ISBN: 9781138346826

• Pages: 100

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

"Conspiracy Theories: A Critical Toolbox" delves into the complex and often misunderstood world of conspiracy theories. The book challenges traditional views of conspiracy theorists as simply individuals who fail to make sense of the world, often dismissing their claims as the product of cognitive, behavioral, or social dysfunction. Instead, Hristov offers a fresh perspective by exploring the concept of truth beyond knowledge and power.

Conspiracy theorists claim knowledge of secret global activities, yet this knowledge often exists outside of traditional frameworks of truth and power. It is knowledge that is “not even wrong,” but potent enough to influence public perception and research. Through a critical theory lens, Hristov provides the tools necessary to analyze conspiracy theories as practices of self-empowerment, presenting them as a form of political self-help rather than mere delusion.

This book offers valuable insights for students, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the deeper motivations behind conspiracy theories, providing a framework to analyze them in a way that goes beyond the limits of conventional scientific reasoning.