A Closer Look at Conspiracy Theories

Mark Huston, an assistant professor of philosophy at Schoolcraft College, will discuss the benefits of conspiracies theories on at Thursday, April 5, in MCC’s Stevenson Center Room 1100.

His talk, part of the MCC Lecture Series, begins at 7 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

"Conspiracy theories are quite prominent in current American life," explains Huston, who will share recent academic and popular literature on conspiracies in order to help better understand their allure.

"Often the use of ‘conspiracy theory’ is derogatory in nature, allowing a rejection of the proffered theory out of hand. However, I believe conspiracy theories can be useful tools for thinking about the nature of reasoning and explanation. Additionally, conspiracy theories provide a model for interdisciplinary understanding. A full appreciation of conspiracy theories relies on a cross section of work in political discourse, psychology, sociology, literature, pop culture and philosophy."

Huston has published in the journals Ratio, The Journal of Philosophical Research and Film and Philosophy.�@ He has also published book reviews in the magazine Philosophy Now.�@ Additionally he has essays in the book Tennis and Philosophy: What the Racket is All About and in Golf and Philosophy: Lessons From the Links.

For more information about the lecture, contact Andy Wible, MCC instructor of philosophy, at (231) 777-0626.