People who can't think critically never believe in conspiracy theories. They believe the official story every time.
I've never understood this argument against conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories are the ultimate form of critical thinking.
I don't disagree with you, I'm just stopping right here. Like you said, it's a requirement. So contrarians are more likely to have it.
It's just a technical truth. It doesn't mean they're more likely to be right or that they have a better grip on reality. They just have one of the prerequisites, so they're more likely to have the thing.
Are there no conspiracies? Are all conspiracy theories necessarily untrue?
I don't really care about the group analysis stuff. Not gonna apply that kind of reasoning to anyone I come across.
Despite knowing the flaw of scientific institutions, I still trust scientists in general for ground truth facts, even when they get things wrong.
Hell, when I follow a known expert lecture and followed the citations for just the first lecture, I found minor errors or discrepancies.
I don't understand the major theories at the gut theories. I don't have degrees or the knowledge needed to understand them. I haven't followed the citations and look at the facts.
And the thing is: nobody in the world have time to follow the citations and see if it match up with what everybody else said, let along actually verify the raw facts and follow the thought process of the original scientists.
That being said. I am pretty sure that the modern world is based on a system of rational thought and technology built on the accumulated knowledge of generations of scientists.
Critical thinking doesn’t mean to never believe authorities. It means to actually be able to judge the evidence and the sources yourself.
People who believe in conspiracy theories rarely, if ever, change their minds. Everything is controlled by some small group that is pulling the strings.