Light Against Darkness - Dualism in Ancient Mediterranean Religion and the Contemporary World

Light Against Darkness investigates dualistic thought in ancient Judaism and its cultural environment as well as its reflections in the modern world.

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.