Demiurge

The term Demiurge (or Yaldabaoth, Yao, Ialdabaoth and several other variants, such as Ptahil used in Mandaeanism) refers in some belief systems to a deity responsible for the creation of the physical universe and the physical aspect of humanity. The word derives from the ancient Greek δημιουργός (démiourgos, latinized demiurgus), meaning "artisan" or "craftsman". (This word in turn comes from δήμιος "official" which in turn comes from δῆμος "people" and έργον meaning "creation" or "(piece of) work".)

Related Topics:
Yao - Mandaeanism - Belief system - Deity - Physical universe - Humanity - Greek

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The term occurs in a number of different religious and philosophical systems, most notably Platonism and Gnosticism. The precise nature and character of the Demiurge however varies considerably from system to system, being the benign architect of matter in some, to the personification of evil in others.

Related Topics:
Platonism - Gnosticism - Matter - Evil

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