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⚫️ About good and evil 🧑‍🦳 A follower of Mani
Manichean

Manichean

1 9.9
Dividing things into only good or evil
  • adjective
  • /ˌmænɪˈkiːən/
: maniqueo
  • His Manichean worldview made it difficult for him to see nuance in political issues, as he believed everything was divided into good and evil.

So this isn't to say that you, you know, split yourself off into, you know, good person, bad person in a very Manichean sort of way.

Examples

  • So this isn't to say that you, you know, split yourself off into, you know, good person, bad person in a very Manichean sort of way.

    Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

  • In short, Americans have a profoundly Manichean way of viewing their interaction with the outside world and their confrontation with foreign adversaries.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Paradoxically, Romney's approach was more idealistic, with a largely Manichean understanding of the world and the role of the US.

    Blog text (33)

  • The unstated assumption, shared by the war's authors, was a deeply Manichean sense of political life: a clearly demarcated world of good and evil.

    Academic text (2013)

  • The author's Manichean approach to storytelling emphasized the stark contrast between the hero and the villain in the narrative.

  • In discussions about morality, she often exhibited a Manichean perspective, viewing actions as either wholly right or wrong.

Synonyms

Manichaean
vsManichean
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Relating to an ancient religion that teaches the world has two opposite forces, good and evil

emphasizes a strict division of the world into opposing good and evil forces
Manichee
vsManichean
1 9.9

Relating to an ancient belief that the world is a struggle between light and darkness

focuses on dividing the world into opposing good and evil forces

Surface Forms

Manichean positive

Morphology

Manichean = Manichaeism (transparent) = Maniche + an

Formed by the productive adjectival suffix '-an' attached to the name of the religion, so a learner knowing 'Manichaeism' can infer the adjective.

Etymology

Manichean comes from the name Mani and his religion Manichaeism, which taught that the world is divided into two opposite forces, 'good' and 'evil'. So calling an idea Manichean means it sees things as only two clear sides, like light versus dark.