What is a polite way to call something a conspiracy theory?

Question

"Conspiracy" has acquired a negative connotation.
[Edit: As pointed out in the comments, it has always had a negative connotation.]

If you tell or even insinuate to someone that what they are saying is a conspiracy theory you can be assured that the conversation will soon be coming to an end and the person might begin to dislike you.

Perhaps there is a conspiracy in this, but the word itself has become tainted with terrible imagery. When you hear "conspiracy" you start thinking of a bearded crackpot wearing a tinfoil hat living in a cabin the woods with no internet connection and a shotgun by the bed.

If you tell someone that you think what they are saying is a conspiracy theory they will start to think you are seeing them as the bearded crackpot. They might think you do not respect them (who respects that type of character?) which can lead to resentment and eventually dislike. This is fine if you are talking to someone you don't like, don't know or have no intention of becoming friends with. But when you are talking to friends and / or family members this is not the desired outcome. Even when you don't think this about your friend of family member they can still become offended.

So the question is, how can you tell someone that you think what they are saying is a conspiracy theory without offending them?

Thank you.

Answer 1

You might ask them, “Have you checked your facts?”

With some people, expressing any doubt at all is going to offend them. But expressing an alternative theory, without commenting on the proffered conspiracy theory, might work. Just quote Hanlon's razor, “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity”, or Heinlein's variant, “You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity”, or a possibly-Bonaparte variant, “Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence”.

Also:

Many journalists have fallen for the conspiracy theory of government. I do assure you that they would produce more accurate work if they adhered to the cock-up theory. —Sir Bernard Ingham

Answer 2

Much of what is called 'conspiracy theory' is really just a radically-different account to the conventionally-accepted version of things.

Many of these have been vindicated as true in the past, and if a person wants to be as objective as possible in their research, they should learn to properly assess all given explanations.

So a term such as "revisionist position" or "revisionist history" is not only more polite, but also more accurate.

Answer 3

There is no polite way to say it, because it's not polite.

"Conspiracy Theory" is just a way to shrug off an idea you find threatening, it doesn't really matter the words used.

The idea the the moon landings were staged is bunkum, because the facts clearly contradict it. Not because someone else has labelled it a conspiracy theory.

Answer 4

since "conspiracy theory" has a bad connotation, simply don't use that phrase. fundamentally a conspiracy theory is just an explanation of observed phenomenon that relies on several people working together in secrecy (aka conspiring). simply explain how their theory relies on that assumption, without using the word conspiracy.

examples

so you are saying bob, joe and jane got together and agreed to never call you? and they kept the agreement secret from you for years?

or

are you suggesting there is a large group of people opposed to the construction of the new mall, but none of them are willing to admit it publicly at the town hall meetings?

some people (mis)use "conspiracy theory", when they really mean "outlandish theory". in that case, perhaps you could simply explain what about the theory you find "outlandish".

example:

i find it highly unlikely that your father drove across five states just to buy an in-and-out burger. i realize he's a big fan of animal style, but perhaps you just don't want to accept the fact that he is dating your professor.