Obscurantism for Dummies
noun
pronunciation: əb'skjʊrən,tɪzəmWhat does Obscurantism really mean?
Hey there, my friend! Let me explain what "obscurantism" means in the simplest way possible, okay?
Obscurantism is a big word that describes a way of thinking or behaving that tries to prevent people from understanding things. It's like someone who wants to keep knowledge or information hidden or unclear on purpose, like they're throwing a bunch of smoke and mirrors around to confuse others.
Imagine you're in a magic show, and the magician is doing all sorts of tricks to make things seem mysterious and hard to figure out. Well, obscurantism is kind of like that, but instead of magic tricks, it happens in our everyday lives when people intentionally make things confusing or difficult to understand.
Let me give you an example. Have you ever had a teacher who would always use really complicated words and never explain what they meant? It's like they were trying to make themselves seem smarter and keep you from understanding the lesson. That's a bit of an obscurantist behavior right there, trying to prevent you from learning by using fancy words without providing any clear explanations.
Now, there's another definition of obscurantism, just to make sure we cover all the bases. Sometimes, obscurantism can also refer to a time in history when certain groups or societies withheld knowledge or obstructed scientific progress intentionally. It's like they wanted to keep people in the dark and prevent new ideas from spreading. This kind of obscurantism can hold back society from advancing and finding better solutions to problems.
So, to sum it all up, obscurantism is when someone or a group intentionally makes things confusing or tries to hide information from others. It can also refer to a historical period when knowledge and progress were obstructed. But hey, remember that knowledge is power, and understanding things is super important, so let's always strive to make things as clear and simple as possible!
Revised and Fact checked by Sophia Martinez on 2023-10-28 00:38:50
Obscurantism In a sentece
Learn how to use Obscurantism inside a sentece
- When certain people want to keep knowledge hidden from others by using complicated language or confusing explanations, it is called obscurantism. For example, imagine if a teacher purposely used really big words and complicated sentences to explain a simple concept. That would be obscurantism.
- Sometimes, in order to hide the truth or manipulate others, some politicians use unclear and confusing language. This type of behavior is known as obscurantism. For instance, if a politician avoids answering direct questions and instead talks in circles without giving a clear answer, they are practicing obscurantism.
- In some religious groups or cults, leaders might deliberately make the teachings and beliefs complicated and hard to understand. This is a form of obscurantism, as it keeps followers from questioning or fully grasping what they are being taught.
- In academic fields, like philosophy or literary criticism, sometimes scholars use extremely complex theories and jargon that make it difficult for regular people to understand. This kind of obscurantism can make it seem like they are saying something important when they might not be.
- Imagine if a scientist wanted to keep their research findings a secret because they were afraid of others stealing their ideas. They might intentionally write their research papers in such a difficult way that only a few experts can understand them. This would be an example of obscurantism, as it prevents others from benefiting from their discoveries.
Obscurantism Hypernyms
Words that are more generic than the original word.