Editing Conflation (section)

{{Short description|Merging different sets of information, texts, ideas, opinions}}
{{other uses}}
'''Conflation''' is the merging of two or more sets of information, texts, ideas, or opinions into one, often in error.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Haught |first=John F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Y9JMBqvGlMC&dq=conflation&pg=PA13 |title=Science and Religion: From Conflict to Conversation |date=1995 |publisher=Paulist Press |isbn=978-0-8091-3606-3 |pages=13 |language=en}}</ref> Conflation is defined as 'fusing blending', but is often used colloquially as 'being equal to' - treating two similar but disparate concepts as the same. [[Merriam-Webster|Merriam Webster]] suggested this shift in usage happened relatively recently, entering their dictionary in 1973.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sometimes Subtle Difference Between 'Conflate' and 'Equate' |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/conflate-vs-equate-usage-difference |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref>   

In [[logic]], it is the practice of treating two distinct [[concept]]s as one, which produces errors or misunderstandings as a fusion of distinct subjects tends to obscure analysis of relationships which are emphasized by contrasts.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Haught |first=John F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Y9JMBqvGlMC&dq=conflation&pg=PA14 |title=Science and Religion: From Conflict to Conversation |date=1995 |publisher=Paulist Press |isbn=978-0-8091-3606-3 |pages=14 |language=en}}</ref> However, if the distinctions between the two concepts may appear to be superficial, intentional conflation can be desirable for the sake of conciseness and recall.