36.3940, Books: Cognition and Conspiracy Theories: Musolff (2025)

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-36-3940. Mon Dec 22 2025. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 36.3940, Books: Cognition and Conspiracy Theories: Musolff (2025)

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Date: 18-Dec-2025
From: Ellena Moriarty [rfsupport at cambridge.org]
Subject: Cognition and Conspiracy Theories: Musolff (2025)


Title: Cognition and Conspiracy Theories
Series Title: Elements in Cognitive Linguistics
Publication Year: 2025

Publisher: Cambridge University Press
           http://www.cambridge.org/linguistics

Author(s): Andreas Musolff

Hardback ISBN:  9781009660679 Pages:  86 Price: U.K. £ 55.00
Hardback ISBN:  9781009660679 Pages:  86 Price: Europe EURO 64.19
Hardback ISBN:  9781009660679 Pages:  86 Price: U.S. $ 70.00
Paperback ISBN:  9781009660631 Pages:  86 Price: U.K. £ 18.00
Paperback ISBN:  9781009660631 Pages:  86 Price: Europe EURO 21.01
Paperback ISBN:  9781009660631 Pages:  86 Price: U.S. $ 23.00

Abstract:

This Element deals with the relationship between cognition, understood
as the process of acquiring and developing knowledge, and diverse
types of conspiracy theories, or short, 'CTs'. Section 1 lays the
groundwork for the analysis by determining four components of
narrative argumentative framing in CTs, of which the first three are
constitutive for all CTs, with a fourth representing the 'optional'
collective action-guiding “scenario” component. Section 2 exemplifies
manifestations of these components by discussing contemporary and
historical 'hoax' and 'asserting' CTs and 'empowering' CTs. Section 3
takes a cognitive-evolutionist and pragmatic view at the conditions
for the 'success' of CT scenarios. In conclusion. Section 4 formulates
lessons for countering the effects of socially detrimental CTs by
deconstructing them and by obstructing their dissemination.

Written In: English (eng)



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