What is the meaning of obscurantism?
English Language Learners Definition of obscurantism formal : the practice of keeping knowledge or understanding about something from people : the policy of not letting people know something See the full definition for obscurantism in the English Language Learners Dictionary
Why is Jane Austen constantly attacked for obscurantism?
‘The intellectual, like the utopian, is constantly attacked for obscurantism.’ ‘My theory is that her obscurantism is a revenge for the drooling nonsense recited about her by men, male directors especially.’ ‘At first liberalism rallied in the face of medieval obscurantism.’
What effect does religious obscurantism have on society?
The effect of this reaction was to strengthen the cause of authority and political obscurantism. The Middle Ages, despite the obscurantism of the Church, had far better claim to that title. But it is an excellent example of what effect religious obscurantism may exert in backward sections of our country.
What is the root word of obscure?
borrowed from German Obscurantismus or French obscurantisme, from Latin obscūrant-, obscūrans, present participle of obscūrāre “to darken, eclipse, conceal from knowledge” + German -ismus, French -isme -ism — more at obscure entry 2 “Obscurantism.”
Definition of obscurantism. 1 : opposition to the spread of knowledge : a policy of withholding knowledge from the general public. 2a : a style (as in literature or art) characterized by deliberate vagueness or abstruseness.
What is obscobscurantism?
obscurantism. the use of argument intended to prevent enlightenment or to hinder the process of knowledge and wisdom. Also spelled obscuranticism. — obscurantist, n. — obscurant, obscurantic, adj. -Ologies & -Isms.
What is Reuchlin’s view of obscurantism?
The humanist scholar Johannes Reuchlin (1455–1522) actively opposed religious obscurantism. Obscurantism (/ɒbˈskjʊərənˌtɪzəm, əb-/ and /ˌɒbskjʊəˈræntɪzəm/) is the practice of deliberately presenting information in an imprecise and recondite manner, often designed to forestall further inquiry and understanding.
What does Hayek mean by obscurantism?
In that context, Hayek used the term obscurantism differently, to denote and describe the denial of the empirical truth of scientific theory, because of the disagreeable moral consequences that might arise from acceptance of fact. The second sense of obscurantism denotes making knowledge abstruse, that is, difficult to grasp.