Those two are NOT mutually exclusive. Critical Thinking could actually lead to (or help provide support for) a Conspiracy Theory.
Whereas, labeling something as a “conspiracy theory” (especially when someone says it is JUST a conspiracy theory) is meant to imply that it is crazy or that anyone who believes/supports it is stupid, a liar, and/or evil, a conspiracy theory can actually be true.
Someone who labels something as “just a conspiracy theory” may do so so that others (you and me) won’t look at it critically. Why? Maybe they know or suspect that there is (at least some) truth in what is being said – and that that doesn’t support their “agenda”.
Those two are NOT mutually exclusive. Critical Thinking could actually lead to (or help provide support for) a Conspiracy Theory.
Whereas, labeling something as a “conspiracy theory” (especially when someone says it is JUST a conspiracy theory) is meant to imply that it is crazy or that anyone who believes/supports it is stupid, a liar, and/or evil, a conspiracy theory can actually be true.
Someone who labels something as “just a conspiracy theory” may do so so that others (you and me) won’t look at it critically. Why? Maybe they know or suspect that there is (at least some) truth in what is being said – and that that doesn’t support their “agenda”.