Manichaeism

/ ˈmænɪkiːˌɪzəm /

noun

1. the system of religious doctrines, including elements of Gnosticism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc, taught by the Persian prophet Mani about the 3rd century ad . It was based on a supposed primordial conflict between light and darkness or goodness and evil
2. RC Church any similar heretical philosophy involving a radical dualism

Derived Forms

• ˈManichee, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Manichaeism¹

C14: from Late Latin Manichaeus, from Late Greek Manikhaios of Mani

Example Sentences

Ernest is a fascinating, thorny character, especially in the age of Marvel Manichaeism, and he’s rived by contradictions that he scarcely seems aware of.

From New York Times

A million people lived within Chang’an’s pounded-earth walls, including travelers and traders from Central, Southeast, South and Northeast Asia and followers of Buddhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Nestorian Christianity and Manichaeism.

From New York Times

Kanter also did an interview with an online site called PJ Media, explaining political Manichaeism and the questions he posed to students.

From Seattle Times

He said that he had read the Quran — he kept two translations behind his desk — as well as the Bible and the Analects of Confucius, and that he had studied Buddhism and Manichaeism.

From New York Times

Manichaeism makes it easy to oversimplify conflicts and tragedies by defining actors as pure good and pure evil. 

From Salon