Editing Demiurge (section)

{{Short description|Creation spirit in some schools of philosophy}}
{{about|the philosophical concept of a Universal Fashioner|other uses|Demiurge (disambiguation)}}
{{God| expanded=representations}}
In the [[Platonism|Platonic]], [[Neopythagorean]], [[Middle Platonism|Middle Platonic]], and [[Neoplatonism|Neoplatonic]] schools of [[philosophy]], the '''demiurge''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|ɛ|m|i|.|ɜr|dʒ}}) is an [[artisan]]-like figure responsible for fashioning and maintaining the physical [[universe]]. Various sects of [[Gnosticism|Gnostics]] adopted the term ''demiurge''. Although a fashioner, the demiurge is not necessarily the same as the [[Creator deity|creator figure]] in the [[monotheism|monotheistic]] sense, because the demiurge itself and the material from which the demiurge fashions the universe are both considered consequences of something else. Depending on the system, they may be considered either uncreated and eternal or the product of some other entity. Some of these systems are monotheistic, while others are [[Henotheism|henotheistic]] or [[Polytheism|polytheistic]].

The word ''demiurge'' is an English word derived from ''demiurgus'', a [[List of Latinised names|Latinised]] form of the [[Greek language|Greek]] {{lang|grc|δημιουργός}} or {{Transliteration|grc|dēmiurgós}}. It was originally a common noun meaning "craftsman" or "artisan", but gradually came to mean "producer", and eventually "creator." The philosophical usage and the proper noun derive from [[Timaeus (dialogue)|Plato's ''Timaeus'']], written {{circa}}&nbsp;360 BC, where the demiurge is presented as the creator of the universe. The demiurge is also described as a creator in the Platonic ({{circa}}&nbsp;310–90 BC) and Middle Platonic ({{circa}}&nbsp;90 BC–AD 300) philosophical traditions. In the various branches of the Neoplatonic school (third century onwards), the demiurge is the fashioner of the real, perceptible world after the model of the [[Theory of Forms|<!-- capitalized-->Ideas]], but (in most Neoplatonic systems) is still not itself "[[Form of the Good|the One]]".

Within the vast spectrum of Gnostic traditions, views of the Demiurge range dramatically. It is generally understood and agreed upon to be a lesser divinity who governs the material universe. However, the nature of its rule over the material realm differs from sect to sect. [[Sethianism|Sethian Gnosticism]] portrays the Demiurge as an oppressive, ignorant ruler, intentionally binding souls in an inherently corrupt material realm. In contrast, [[Valentinianism|Valentinian Gnosticism]] sees the Demiurge as a well-meaning but limited figure whose rule reflects ignorance rather than malice.