On Conspiracy Theories | Workshop
Sir James Matthews Building
Building: Sir James Matthews Building
Room: Level 1, 1023
Date and Time (UK time):
14/11/2026 11:15-12:15
14/11/2026 15:15-15:31
14/11/2026 13:15-14:15
Building: Sir James Matthews Building
Room: Level 1, 1023
Date and Time (UK time):
14/11/2026 11:15-12:15
14/11/2026 15:15-15:31
14/11/2026 13:15-14:15
Southampton is known for many things: its proximity to the New Forest, its role in creating the RAF's spitfire plane, and its football club. However, it is the city's maritime history that is arguably its most famous selling point. Most notably, it is from Southampton that the RMS Titanic set sail for New York in 1912, before tragically sinking in the Atlantic Ocean.
But did the Titanic really sink? Perhaps its sister-ship, the RMS Olympic, was the ship that sunk. Perhaps the Titanic was deliberately sunk for financial gain. These suggestions might sound outlandish, but they are just two conspiracy theories about what happened to the Titanic. Although these conspiracy theories are relatively harmless, many are not. Indeed, the social media age has made the distribution and uptake of conspiracy theories easier than ever before. In light of this, philosophers have begun devoting increasing attention to them. In this exciting workshop, you will learn about how philosophers understand conspiracy theories and consider what, if anything, is problematic about them. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive Q/A with Dr Matthews.
But did the Titanic really sink? Perhaps its sister-ship, the RMS Olympic, was the ship that sunk. Perhaps the Titanic was deliberately sunk for financial gain. These suggestions might sound outlandish, but they are just two conspiracy theories about what happened to the Titanic. Although these conspiracy theories are relatively harmless, many are not. Indeed, the social media age has made the distribution and uptake of conspiracy theories easier than ever before. In light of this, philosophers have begun devoting increasing attention to them. In this exciting workshop, you will learn about how philosophers understand conspiracy theories and consider what, if anything, is problematic about them. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive Q/A with Dr Matthews.
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Sir James Matthews Building

