Light Against Darkness

Dualism in Ancient Mediterranean Religion and the Contemporary World, Journal of Ancient Judaism, Supplements 2, Journal of Ancient Judaism. Supplements (JAJ.S) 002, Part

Armin Lange/Eric M Meyers/Bennie H Reynolds III et al

Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht

Light Against Darkness is comprised of articles that put on display the power and pervasiveness of dualistic thought. Dualism has proved a potent cultural tool for clarifying reality. Particularly in times of social stress and insecurity, it can offer a conceptual grid that provides orientation to the world and a clear sense of identity. At the same time, though, there are important questions to be asked about the social effects of binary thinking. As history illustrates, dualistic notions can be deployed to rationalize violence. At a deeper level, a dualist worldview can also obscure the possibilities to be found in multiplicity.