obscurantism etymology

Etymology:

• Latin: obscuratus, past participle of obscurare "to obscure, darken"
• obscurare is derived from obscurus "dark, obscure"

Meaning:

Obscurantism is the practice of deliberately obscuring or concealing knowledge or information, often with the intent to keep people ignorant or to prevent them from forming critical opinions.

Origin:

The term "obscurantism" was coined in the 17th century by the French philosopher Pierre Bayle. Bayle used the term to describe the efforts of the Catholic Church to suppress the spread of new ideas and scientific discoveries that challenged traditional religious beliefs.

In the 18th century, obscurantism became a key concept in the Enlightenment. Enlightened thinkers such as Voltaire and Diderot denounced obscurantism as a tool of tyranny that prevented people from using their reason and making progress.

Since then, obscurantism has been used to describe a wide range of practices aimed at suppressing knowledge, including censorship, propaganda, and the suppression of free speech. It is often associated with authoritarian governments, religious fundamentalism, and anti-intellectualism.

obscurantism relate terms

• obscurant

  Etymology The word obscurant derives from the Latin word obscurans meaning darkeni

• obscure

  Obscure Etymology Obscure etymology refers to words or phrases whose origins and root mea

• obscurantist

  Etymology Late Middle English from Medieval Latin obscurantista from obscurant vari

• obscurantism

  Etymology Latin obscuratus past participle of obscurare to obscure darken obscurar

• deceit

  Etymology The word deceit originates from the Old French word deceit which in turn c

• deception

  Etymology Old French decepcion 13th century Latin deceptio act of deceiving decept

• dissimulation

  Etymology French word dissimuler meaning to conceal pretend disguise Ultimately

• policy

  Etymology The word policy originates from the Latin word polyptycha which means fol

• hierarchy

• nurse

  Etymology Middle English nurse Old English nurse Proto Germanic nurstiz Proto Indo E

• retribution

  Etymology Latin retributio retributionis retribution punishment retribuere to

• orchid

  Etymology of Orchid The word orchid originates from the Greek word orchis which me

• Lent

  Etymology Old English Hlenten Proto Germanic Langitinaz meaning long season M

• indulgence

  Etymology Late Middle English in the sense a privilege granted by the Church to a p