Manichaeanism
- noun
- /ˌmænɪˈkiːənɪzəm/
- Formal
- Many people struggle with Manichaeanism in their thinking, often viewing complex issues as strictly black or white.
Examples
-
Within a similar anthropological perspective, the human family is facing the challenge of a new Manichaeanism, in which body and spirit are put in radical opposition.
Academic text (2005) -
"Even The New Republic finds Costner unwilling or unable to grapple with the real ambiguities of Western history, choosing instead to turn the old red-and-white Manichaeanism on its head, rendering the Indians cowboys and the cowboys Indians."
Academic text (1991) -
His Manichaeanism made it difficult for him to see the gray areas in moral dilemmas.
-
In discussions, she often fell into Manichaeanism, labeling opinions as either completely right or completely wrong.
Synonyms
7
8.8
The belief that reality has two opposite parts like mind and body
How Dualistic
- Formal
38
6.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
Manichaeanism = Manichaean (opaque) = Manichaean + ism
The term 'Manichaean' is rooted in a specific historical and religious context, making the derivation opaque for those unfamiliar with the background.
Etymology
Manichaeanism can also mean a 'black-and-white' way of thinking, and this sense comes from Mani's teaching of 'light' versus 'darkness'. So calling an idea Manichaean says it sees things as only 'good' or only 'evil'.