Why we sometimes have to rely on others: ‘Can you explain how your toilet works?

30 April 2025 Research news item

In his research, philosopher Harmen Ghijsen examines how people form certain beliefs and what role their perceptions play in this process. However, people are particularly vocal when he discusses one specific part of his research: conspiracy theorists. ‘People are quick to believe something.’

When it comes to conspiracy theorists, the conversation quickly turns to wackos, weirdos or people wearing tin foil hats. And although several theories are circulating that are highly unlikely, it is too simplistic to dismiss all people who believe in conspiracies like this. After all, ‘Where there are conspiracies, there are conspiracy theories,’ says cognitive philosopher Harmen Ghijsen.

According to Ghijsen, you should see these theories on a spectrum. On one end, there's ideas that every human being accepts as true,and on the other end the most unlikely theories at the other. If you approach it from that perspective, you see that conspiracy theorists form their ideas in the same way as other people. ‘As humans, we often think that we acquire knowledge in a very intellectual way. We gather evidence and draw conclusions based on that evidence.’

The illusion of understanding

This turns out to often be false rather than true. ‘We assume think that something is a certain way because we have heard or seen it somewhere, but we can hardly explain why that is. We are quite quick to believe something.’ Where people who do and do not believe in conspiracy theories differ is in the type of sources they rely on. ‘Many conspiracy theorists actively seek out alternative information on certain topics.’

This curiosity about certain topics can stem from a desire for control, according to Ghijsen. ‘Our world is changing rapidly, and acquiring a lot of knowledge about certain topics can give you a sense of control. When you think you know everything about a subject.’

Nevertheless, the intense curiosity of conspiracy theorists mainly shows how complex the world is today. Even people who seek out above-average amounts of information can easily come to conclusions that differ greatly from the consensus among experts. ‘You notice it in everyday situations too,’ emphasises Ghijsen. ‘We are quick to assume we know how something works, take your own toilet for example. But if you are asked to explain exactly how it works, you soon discover that you know much less than you initially thought.’

Trust in institutions

Science plays a special role in debates on social issues and conspiracy theories. While scientists are often the first to emphasise that their insights are not absolute truths, their conclusions are more than once presented as such in the media or in political debates. At the same time, you hear plenty of people, including conspiracy theorists, who claim that science is “just an opinion”. Ghijsen: ‘There is indeed an ambivalent attitude towards certain scientific fields. Yet there are virtually no people who dismiss science as a whole.’

Like it or not, in a world as complex as ours, we still have to relate to institutions such as science, Ghijsen argues. ‘As sobering as that realisation may be, we have little control over many things and therefore have to rely on others.’ Instead of trying in vain to know everything ourselves, Ghijsen has other advice. ‘Let's work together to ensure that institutions such as science - and also plumbers! - are trustworthy.’

Photo: Mina Rad via Unsplash

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Organizational unit: Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies
Theme: Philosophy, Society, Science