Metaphorical Blending in Conspiracy Theory Discourses: a German Case Study
Metaphorical Blending in Conspiracy Theory Discourses: a German Case Study

Summary/Abstract: This paper studies the blending of diverse conspiracy theories (CTs) in the context of publicdebates in Germany about the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special focus on right-wing extremistCTs. They provide a prototypical example of metaphorical projections of fictitious resistance/war scenarios onto a conceptually alien topic (i.e. that of pandemic containment), as predictedby Danesi’s (2023) analysis of CTs. Retrospective interviews with CT believers confirma degree of conceptual “fossilization” (Danesi) but it still remains an open question whether thisis the result of neurophysiological processes, as posited by Danesi, or of socio-emotive benefits,such as emotional reassurance in identity building. In either case, mere fact-checking and/or-falsification is insufficient to prevent the CTs’ socially detrimental effects. I therefore argue thatin addition to cognitive analysis, CTs have to be confronted by counter-narratives that empowerthe recipients to rely on their own epistemic competencies.

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