It Spreads Like a Disease – Pandemics and Conspiracy Theories

ALFREDAS BUIKO; JULITA SLIPKAUSKAITĖ

doi:10.6001/fil-soc.v33i3.4781

ALFREDAS BUIKO
JULITA SLIPKAUSKAITĖ

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6001/fil-soc.v33i3.4781

Keywords: epidemics and pandemics, conspiracy theories, disease, monological belief system, conspiratorial thinking

Abstract

This paper analyses what kind of conspiracy theories are generated because of the emergence and spread of diseases. Conspiracy theory narratives that are generated during the different kinds of pandemics – cholera, AIDS and COVID-19 – are described and analysed, with special attention given to COVID-19 conspiracy theories. We raise a conceptual issue for further research indicating that the disease-related conspiracies do not perfectly square with the current psychological interpretations of conspiracy beliefs.