Definitions
- Referring to the practice of deliberately making something obscure or difficult to understand. - Describing a tendency to obscure knowledge or information in order to maintain power or control. - Talking about a philosophy that opposes the spread of knowledge and enlightenment.
- Referring to the act of intentionally making something unclear or confusing. - Describing the use of language or tactics to hide or obscure the truth. - Talking about a technique used to avoid answering a question directly.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to intentional acts of making something unclear or difficult to understand.
- 2Both words can be used to describe tactics used to hide or obscure the truth.
- 3Both words can be used in a negative context.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Obscurantism focuses on the deliberate obscuring of knowledge or information. Obfuscation can refer to any attempt to make something unclear or confusing, whether intentional or not.
- 2Usage: Obscurantism is less commonly used in everyday language than obfuscation. Obfuscation is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts.
- 3Connotation: Obscurantism has a more negative connotation, often associated with anti-intellectualism or authoritarianism. Obfuscation can have a neutral or negative connotation depending on the context.
Remember this!
Obscurantism and obfuscation are both words that describe intentional acts of making something unclear or difficult to understand. However, obscurantism specifically refers to a belief system that opposes the spread of knowledge, while obfuscation is a more general term that can be applied to any situation where clarity is intentionally avoided. Obfuscation is also more commonly used in everyday language and has a wider range of contexts.
