Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M5100

Obscurantism

Obscurantism
CultureHigh supportPhilosophy
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The deliberate act of making knowledge obscure, or opposing the dissemination of knowledge and enlightenment. This practice often aims to maintain the authority of vested interest groups by creating 'knowledge barriers' to sustain power structures.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Identify knowledge monopolies. When certain 'experts' or institutions use complex jargon and obscure theories to package simple concepts, be wary of whether this is obscurantism. True knowledge should be explainable in plain terms; deliberately creating comprehension barriers often serves to conceal the workings of power.

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Anchor fast decisions

Refers to the attitude or policy of deliberately hindering the dissemination of knowledge, disparaging rationality and education, in order to maintain privilege or dogma. Often associated with anti-intellectualism and anti-Enlightenment.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ObscurantismZH · Explicit
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