Abstract:
This thesis analyzes the theoretical bases, argumentations, logical developments of
conspiracy theory from epistemological, politically-oriented, cultural and critical
approaches. The majority of scholarly literature considers conspiracy theory as an irrational
conception that is irrelevant or even contrary to the Enlightenment rationality, but this
research finds the opposite. After discussing conspiracy theory from different aspects,
whether in the theoretical or practical levels, this thesis concludes that the theoretical flaws
of conspiracy theory are attributed to inaccurate premises and assumptions lie at the heart
of the Enlightenment project itself. What pushes conspiracy theory into the margin of
Enlightenment is not its lack of rationality but, rather, its contradictory orientation towards
reasonability understood as the ability to compromise with other rational parties to reach
an overlapping consensus.
