Conspiracy theories - Rationale Magazine

31 May

Trust in our institutions provides shelter from the storm

31/05/2026
By David Magson
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I can still picture it: a page from the illustrated encyclopedia my parents gave me as a child. A man dressed in animal skins walks acr...

05 Dec

Philosophy & Psychology

Flat Earth, spirits and conspiracy theories: How experience shapes extraordinary beliefs

05/12/2025
By Eli Elster
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On 22 February 2020, 'Mad' Mike Hughes towed a homemade rocket to the Mojave Desert and launched himself into the sky. His goal?...

29 May

Philosophy & Psychology

What gives you the right to an opinion?

29/05/2025
By Ian Robinson
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Opinions loom large in the contemporary world. They inform people's behaviour. They lead to actions which seriously affect both individ...

15 Apr

Philosophy & Psychology

How paranormal beliefs help people cope in uncertain times

15/04/2025
By Neil Dagnall
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Paranormal beliefs create a sense of control, predictability and comfort in uncertain times, according to academic studies. That...

13 Aug

Feature series, Science & Health

From my brush with breast cancer, I know the value of science – and the need to defend it – more than ever

This article is part of our ‘Celebrate Science’ feature series to mark National Science Week, 10-18 August 2024. Many people are no...

09 Apr

Philosophy & Psychology

The psychology behind irrational opinions

Most people, at one time or another, act foolishly. However, truly ignorant individuals exhibit a lack of introspection and stubbornly ...

26 Feb

Philosophy & Psychology

How to help people get out of misinformation rabbit holes

02/03/2024
By Emily Booth
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As misinformation and radicalisation rise, it’s tempting to look for something to blame: the internet, social media personalities, sens...

20 Feb

Science & Health

How to inoculate against climate misinformation

Last year, the world experienced the hottest day ever recorded, as we endured the first year where temperatures were 1.5°C warme...

03 Feb

Philosophy & Psychology

How thinking styles explain susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs

03/02/2024
By Darel Cookson
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Over the last two decades, and in particular over the last five years, there has been a growing scientific interest in conspirac...

13 Oct

Law & Politics

Voice conspiracies follow the ‘fake news’ playbook

13/10/2023
By Micah Goldwater
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Australians preparing to vote in the Indigenous Voice referendum are facing a barrage of conspiracy theories: baseless allega...

16 Mar

Philosophy & Psychology

The tyranny of story

16/03/2023
By Ian Robinson
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Story was once a tool for understanding the world and for improving it. The hero or heroine always defeated the monsters. Today, sto...

17 Feb

Law & Politics

The spread of QAnon beyond the United States

17/02/2023
By Robert Dover
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The name crops up all over the place, but many people have no real understanding of what QAnon is, or why an estimated 22 per cent o...

Tag Archives: Conspiracy theories