What Is The Origin Of The Term “Conspiracy Theorist”?

The term “conspiracy theory” was first used in 1962 by McKenzie-McHarg in JSTOR, a publication that later became popularized by philosopher Sir Karl Popper. The term was not created by the CIA, but rather claimed to be invented in 1967 to disqualify those who questioned the official version of John F. Kennedy’s assassination and doubted his killer, Lee Harvey Oswald. Conspiracy theories thrive in societies with poor education systems, disaffected populations, and low social capital.

Phonologists studying conspiracy theories have increasingly addressed the questions of their origins, purpose, and rationality. The term has had a bad reputation since its first popularization by Popper in the 1950s. A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event or situation asserting the existence of a conspiracy by powerful and sinister groups, often political.

The origins of modern conspiracy theories can be traced back to the 1930s, with much of the literature pointing to twentieth-century philosopher Karl Popper. Before examining conspiracy theories within their appropriate social, historical, and ideological context, it is necessary to spend time understanding their social, historical, and ideological context.

The medieval period was a perfect breeding ground for conspiracy theories, with one particular king, Philip IV of France, being a prime example. Since the Warren Commission concluded that a lone gunman assassinated President John F. Kennedy, people who doubt this finding have been widely debated.