I’ve recently written about conspiracy theories here. Let’s start developing our take on the subject. Before going any further, it is first necessary to define what a conspiracy theory is.
In this publication, we identify it as a “secret conspiracy of two or more
powerful actors”. Conspiracy theories are attempts to explain the hidden causes of political and social events. These events are nationwide or global (we avoid referring to small-scale events like the robbery of a supermarket or the stolen phone of an ordinary citizen). For it to be considered a conspiracy, the event should consist of secret plots made by two or more powerful actors. (This is how Aaronovitch, Byford, Coady, Dentith&Orr, and Keeley,define a conspiracy theory).
Another definition of conspiracy theories is made by Michael Barkun. His point of view on such theories could be explained like this. He says there are three principles in the conspiracy theories: First of all, everything is connected, there is no more room for chance or coincidence and nothing is what it seems. Secondly, the world in which we live has a meaning. There is a deep structure, everything falls into place. Finally, there is a third principle that causes frustration: it is never possible for us to be sure that we live in this reality. There are always hidden actors who are constantly trying to hide this “reality” from us in order to deceive us.
Well since we have our definition it is time to approach these theories from a psychoanalytical point of view.
A psychoanalytic approach
Conspiracy theories are similar to "magic" in ancient societies and to
superstitions that have existed since the earliest days of man. Just as in the past, people had no logical approach or explanation to events in their daily lives. There was the omnipotence of belief, spirits and gods. no science, no method. “My house got struck by a lightning. I shouldn’t have stolen that apple bro, Zeus must got angry”.
They thought their inner realities were also shaping the outer world. Like Freud puts it in his book Totem and Taboo, "Primitive man transferred the structural relationships of his own psyche to the outside world”. What was needed to set things right and restore order. Apart from these pragmatic reasons, it has also helped people to avoid not knowing things. The explanation of a thing although it is not demonstrable by methods gave them a structure for reasoning and conclusion. The lack of interest in arguments and questions is not specific to old societies.
After the Charlie Hebdo incident in France in 2015, there was a spike in research and debate on conspiracy theory, particularly in France. A recent article on "Le Monde" reflects on these first attempts at conspiracy in a rational perspective and commentary. This article claims readers of such theories are more interested in understanding the possible causes of the conspiracy than in questioning or investigating the arguments that theorists have presented to the public.
It also seems that conspiracy theories work for the individual, in the same way that religion works. For Freud, religion is a refuge for the individual. It makes the unpredictable and threatening world readable. It gives meaning and a connection between events. It also fills the void by giving us lead figures. The god and the devil. Religion goes even further and denies death, offers a second life. Similar to religion, we also know that conspiracy theories offer meaning and an explanation to unpredictable and threatening things. They give us hidden responsibles for the events. People who support such theories appreciate knowing better than others which is a boost for one’s ego.
As Jacques Lacan said “The conspirator is therefore both unhappy […] and satisfied — because he, he knows”. After all, dissatisfaction and the search for overly exaggerated compensations make part of the narcissistic individual. I mentioned narcissism twice already. For now, i won’t delve on that part. But i’ll explain it in future posts.
Thank you for reading if you made it untill here, hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to share your thoughts or suggestions.
