A Real Conversation in Monterey on "Conspiracy Theories"

November 2020

[Photo1 by Lucas J. Mather, May 2008, Pebble Beach, California, Monterey Peninsula, published to Facebook Sunday, 7 December 2008]

So, are you a conspiracy theorist? , the man asked me.

What prompts that question? Kinda outa left field.

You know, are you one of those conspiracy theorists? Is that why you think Trump shouldn’t give up? the man said , genuinely curious.

When you say “one of those,” you lost me.

You know, one of...

No I don’t know, that’s why I’d like you to clarify.

Ok, well, he said, you know,

No , I don’t . Do you ?

No, I mean, yes, part of the group of Trump’s enablers who are trying to steal the election from Biden, or sabotage it .

Just to clarify

Just answer the question!, he said, growing frustrated.

This is a learning process for you. Enlightenment is hard. Be patient .

Ok.

Just to clarify, you have a theory that two or more people are cooperating to effect something in the world, some phenomena you’re acquainted with , and you explain those data , those phenomena, by an inference to the best explanation (IBE for short in inductive logic): that is, by positing a hypothesis that there is coordination and cooperation between two or more individuals, for a political purpose, that best explains those data.

Um, well, I see where

And those individuals have the 1) power, 2) intelligence, 3) purposes that these taken together, form a theory that explains data about Trump’s behavior and its effect on the election.

Uh ...I guess. Hmmm.

So that’s a textbook conspiracy , taken to explain data, by whose lights ? Yours. That’s the basis of your question.

— it. Hmmm. Well. You know .

I do. Good job. I do know what a conspiracy is. And you know what else?

What ?

When a conspiracy isn’t seen, but is posited as an inference to the best explanation—IBE—that’s called in inductive logic a _____ ? A what ? A *theory*, I said forcefully, with Santa’s twinkle in my eye.

Okay.

Yes, it is okay. It’s called inductive logic. It’s called criminal investigation. It’s often called *science*. Have you ever studied the Philosophy of Science?

Uh, no, he said, in wonder , somewhat sheepishly.

[Photo2: by Lucas J. Mather, Thanksgiving week 2020, Asilomar Beach, Pacific Grove, California, Monterey Peninsula, published to Facebook Friday 27 November 2020 at 6:27 pm]

Well I was forced to study it lest I not get my Masters in Philosophy and lest I not be able to use that degree to teach adults logic, IBE, Reasoning in the Sciences at places like Cal State.

Really ?

Yeah dude.

So you’re saying *I’m a conspiracy theorist?*, he said, genuinely surprised.

This is what we call in the business a “teaching moment”. Every rational person is a conspiracy theorist. About something .

I always thought it meant “hoax”, he said.

“Hoax” and “conspiracy theory” are not properly synonymous, and never have been.

And he looked at me as for the first time, and shook my hand , and said, you’re alright. You’re not crazy.

Happy Thanksgiving, I said.

You too, he said.

Photo3: by Lucas J. Mather, May 2008, Monterey Harbor, California, published to Facebook Sunday 7 December 2008]

Text Copyright Lucas J. Mather, 2020
All Rights Reserved

Text Originally published to Facebook Monday 23 November 2020 at 8:29 pm