The second issue of the third volume of Argumenta opens with a Special Issue edited by Juha Räikkä and devoted to a topic whose importance it is difficult to exaggerate. The topic—and title—is The Ethics and the Epistemology of Conspiracy Theories, and its importance lies in the theme’s implications not only for philosophical theorizing, but also for the civil and moral temperature of our societies.
Given that, on the one hand, most conspiracy theorizing cannot be ruled out as simply irrational and, on the other, that it can be very harmful, it appears of the utmost urgency to get a grip on the nature of this kind of theorizing and find a way to orientate ourselves relative to the many conspiracy theories that crop up from time to time. To this end, the lines of thinking of the philosophers, social scientists and psychologists contributing to this Special Issue will surely help to arrive at a more balanced attitude toward this phenomenon.
After the Special Issue, we present three articles dedicated to Michael Dummett’s reconstruction of McTaggart’s proof of the unreality of time, the metaphysical possibility of existing without any physical support, and an evaluation of the bearing of Aquinas’ practical doctrine on Hume’s Is-ought thesis and Moore’s Open-question argument. It is our conviction that these articles will greatly contribute to foster the discussion of their respective topics.
The section of Book Reviews then rounds off the number once again. We are proud to offer readers three other thoughtful reviews of as many interesting books.
As always, all the articles appearing in Argumenta are freely accessible and freely downloadable. Heartily thanking all the colleagues who have acted as referees, we wish everybody:
Buona lettura!
Massimo Dell’Utri
Editor