To liberate the light: ontology and moral practice in manichaeism

Abstract

This article aims to examine ethics within Manichaeism. As an introduction to the subject, it analyzes the influences that shaped Mani and his intention to establish a universal religion. Understanding Manichaeism requires grasping its cosmogony — that is, the primordial conflict between Light and Darkness. Presenting himself as “the last of the prophets,” Mani developed a creative synthesis that combines Gnostic myths with Jewish, Christian, and possibly Buddhist elements. Based on this cosmological framework, it becomes possible to understand the ethical conflict within humanity. Manichaean theology emphasizes the human being as a central agent in the victory of Light, through a rigorously ascetic ethic that forbids all forms of violence, promotes self-control, vows of poverty, and a devotional life aimed at the liberation of the divine Light particles still trapped in creation. The article seeks to present a perspective on Manichaeism that engages with Augustine’s critiques, while prioritizing the internal vision of the movement itself through primary sources, commentators, and scholarly interpretations.