obscurantism

/,ɔbskjuə'ræntizm/
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obscurantism

A teacher uses a simple diagram to explain a concept, countering obscurantism.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A deliberate act intended to make something obscure: The practice of deliberately preventing the facts or full details of something from being known.
    • A policy of opposition to enlightenment or the spread of knowledge: The practice of deliberately withholding knowledge or hindering intellectual progress and clarity.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The government's obscurantism was evident in its censorship of scientific reports.
    • Critics accused the author of obscurantism, arguing his writing was needlessly complex to hide a lack of original ideas.
Advanced Usage
  • "Intellectual obscurantism": The deliberate use of overly complex or ambiguous language in academic or philosophical discourse to appear profound or to conceal a lack of substance.

    • The professor dismissed the theory as mere intellectual obscurantism.
  • "Religious obscurantism": The opposition to the spread of rational or scientific knowledge on religious grounds.

    • The movement was seen as a form of religious obscurantism, rejecting modern discoveries.
Variants and Related Words
  • Obscurantist (noun): A person who practices or promotes obscurantism.

    • He was labeled an obscurantist for his attacks on public education.
  • Obscurantist (adjective): Characterized by or promoting obscurantism.

    • The obscurantist policies of the regime kept the population in ignorance.
Synonyms
  • Mystification: The action of making something obscure or mysterious.
  • Censorship: The suppression or prohibition of speech or writing.
  • Reactionism: Opposition to progress or liberalism.
Antonyms
  • Enlightenment: The action of enlightening or the state of being enlightened.
  • Clarification: The action of making a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible.
  • Transparency: The condition of being transparent; openness.
Related Phrases and Concepts
  • "Veil of obscurantism": A metaphorical phrase describing something hidden by deliberate obscurity.

    • The truth was hidden behind a veil of obscurantism.
  • "Fight against obscurantism": A common phrase denoting efforts to promote knowledge and combat deliberate ignorance.

    • The organization is dedicated to the fight against obscurantism.
obscurantism

A teacher uses a simple diagram to explain a concept, countering obscurantism.

Noun
  1. a deliberate act intended to make something obscure
  2. a policy of opposition to enlightenment or the spread of knowledge