Hylics

Hylics

Hylic from Greek το υλικό for material or, "hulikos" of matter, is the opposite of psychic, from Greek η ψυχή "psyche", soul.

In the Gnostic view, Hylics, also called Somatics (from Gk το σώμα, "soma" the body or of the body), were the lowest order of the three types of human. The other two were the Psychics and the Pneumatics (from Gk το πνεύμα, spirit, breath). So humanity comprised matter-bound beings, matter-dwelling spirits and the matter-free or immaterial, souls.

Somatics were deemed completely bound to matter. Matter, the material world, was seen as "evil" in the Gnostic world view. The material world was created by a demiurge, in some instances a blind, mad God, in others an army of rebellious angels as a trap for the spiritual Ennoia. The duty of (spiritual) man was to escape the material world by the aid of the hidden knowledge (gnosis).

Somatics were human in form, but since their entire focus was on the material world, such as eating, sleeping, mating, creature comforts, they were seen as doomed. The Pneumatic saw himself as escaping the doom of the material world via the secret knowledge. Somatics were thought to be incapable of understanding.

For consideration of these dynamics see for example, The Gospel of Judas, believed to be a gnostic text, where Jesus is posited as a Pneumatic and the other disciples, non-gnostics, as Somatics.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Psychic reading — A psychic reading is a type of method used in an attempt to foretell the future of an individual or group.Types of psychic readingThere are many types, methods and systems of psychic or extra sensory readings employed by those who claim to have… …   Wikipedia

  • Sophia (wisdom) — Sophia (Σoφíα, Greek for wisdom ) is a central term in Hellenistic philosophy and religion, Platonism, Gnosticism, Orthodox Christianity, Esoteric Christianity, as well as Christian mysticism. Sophiology is a philosophical concept regarding… …   Wikipedia

  • Pneumatic (Gnosticism) — πνεύμα, spirit The highest order of humans as opposed to hylics. spiritual, fully initiated. immaterial, souls. The Pneumatic saw himself as escaping the doom of the material world via the secret knowledge …   Wikipedia

  • Credentes — or Believers, were the ordinary followers of what became known as the Cathar or Albigensian movement, a Christian sect which flourished in western Europe during the 11th, 12th and 13th Centuries. Credentes constituted up the main part of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Christianity — /kris chee an i tee/, n., pl. Christianities. 1. the Christian religion, including the Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox churches. 2. Christian beliefs or practices; Christian quality or character: Christianity mixed with pagan elements; …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”