Coincidence theory
From The Black Vault Encyclopedia Project
The term coincidence theory is used by proponents of controversial theories (often called conspiracy theorists) to counter those who dismiss their claims; they mean to express thus that these dismissals rely on too many coincidences to be plausible. The term is sometimes used to ridicule or dismiss an argument by implying that the theory is unworthy of serious consideration.
The dispute arises when, after a complex or controversial historical event, a more-or-less simple explanation is officially stated which is accepted by the general population but which some people find unsatisfactory. Those argue that the explanation for the events has been oversimplified, sometimes to the extent of becoming a fallacy of the single cause. They maintain that suspicious loose ends, anomalies or mysteries not explained by the official version were ignored and dismissed as mere coincidence.
Proponents consider that these elements were overlooked, or covered up on purpose. They argue that a coincidence theory was disseminated by means of propaganda and media manipulation to advance the social or economic interest of a party and/or to hide another version of the facts that might damage that party's credibility or public image, as by establishing that party's guilt in an instance of crime or scandal. They can make use of many propaganda tactics, including scapegoating a person or group to shift blame. Coincidence theories, according to those who identify and denounce them, are calculated to exploit the gullibility and ignorance of those to whom they are communicated.
Critics of this approach argue that the term "coincidence theory" is employed by conspiracy theorists as a way to justify a conspiracist approach. The term coincidence theory is a pun on the term "Conspiracy theory". Identifying something as a coincidence theory may be an instance of using the fallacy of the law of truly large numbers (see external links).
See also
- Cock-up theory
- Conspiracy theory
- Disinformation
- Kennedy Curse
- Index of coincidence
- null hypothesis
- Intelligent Design
External links
- Justly or Otherwise
- Son of 'An Interesting Day'
- Coincidence Theory vs. Conspiracy Fact
- Coincidence Theorist's Guide to 9/11
- Establishment Media Plagued by 'Coincidence Theorists'
- A Wild Coincidence Theory
- Law of truly large numbers from Mathworld
- Law of truly large numbers from SkepDic
- Coincidences: Remarkable or Random?
Copyright
"Original data received from Wikipedia on April 22, 2006. Credit given to original authors can be seen Here."
