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

The term “conspiracy theory” was first popularized by philosopher Sir Karl Popper in the 1950s to discredit those who questioned the official version of John F. Kennedy’s assassination and doubted that his killer, Lee Harvey Oswald, was responsible. Conspiracy theories thrive in societies with poor education systems, disaffected populations, and low social capital. However, the term has had a bad reputation since its inception.

The term “conspiracy theory” is well-established in the English language and is an explanation for an event or situation asserting the existence of a conspiracy by powerful and sinister groups, often political. It has been used by politicians to mock and dismiss allegations against them, while philosophers and scholars have used it to debunk and counter them.

The term “conspiracy theory” emerged much more recently, only a few decades ago, following the Warren Commission’s conclusion that a lone gunman assassinated President John F. Kennedy. People who doubt this finding have been widely exposed.

Academic research into conspiracy theories has developed over time, with scholarly interest emerging in the 1930s. The term has been used to describe events or situations that assert the existence of a conspiracy by powerful and sinister groups, often political. However, the term has also been used to describe the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the dangers of conspiracy theories and their potential for debunking and countering them.