The term “demiurge” refers to a creator or artisan-like figure responsible for the shaping and ordering of the material world. In philosophical contexts, particularly in Gnostic traditions and some strands of Neoplatonism, the demiurge is often depicted as a being that creates the physical universe but may be seen as imperfect or distinct from a higher, transcendent deity. The word originates from the Greek “demiourgos,” meaning “craftsman” or “artisan.” In a broader sense, it can also refer to any entity that plays a significant role in creating or influencing the structure of a reality or system.