Name: Conspiracy Theories: Particularism vs Generalism vs Anti-Generalism
Start: 2026-07-09T11:00:00+1200
End: 2026-07-09T11:55:00+1200

Conspiracy Theories: Particularism vs Generalism vs Anti-Generalism

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am NZST

MSB1.05

In the increasingly interdisciplinary study of conspiracy theories - conspiracy theory theory - there is a debate (at least in philosophy) between generalism (the view that there is something generally wrong about conspiracy theories) and particularism (the view that conspiracy theories ought to be assessed on their relative merits, and thus no assumption can be made about their warrant sans some investigation of the particular theory). In this panel discussion three of the main contributors to that debate (Charles Pigden, M R. X. Dentith, and Steve Clarke) discuss why it seems that particularism is the dominant view (at least among philosophers), whether generalists are right to claim that non-philosophers agree with generalism, and whether there is some intermediate position between the two views.

Speakers

Steve Clarke

Charles Sturt University

M R. X. Dentith

Beijing Normal University

M R. X. Dentith is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the International Center for Philosophy at Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai. Their chief research interests concern the epistemic analysis of conspiracy theories, rumours, fake news, and the epistemology of secrecy. In 2014... Read More →

Charles Pigden

Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am NZST
MSB1.05

Epistemology, In Person

AAP 2026 CONFERENCE

Steve Clarke

M R. X. Dentith

Charles Pigden

Attendees (19)

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AAP 2026 CONFERENCE

Steve Clarke

M R. X. Dentith

Charles Pigden

Attendees (19)

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