Definition

1. Noun:
   • A philosophical position regarding knowledge: The belief that the existence of God, the divine, or ultimate reality is unknown and inherently unknowable to human beings. It is the view that human reason is incapable of providing sufficient rational grounds to justify either the belief that God exists or the belief that God does not exist.
   • A general attitude of doubt or skepticism: A broader stance of doubt or skepticism towards the truth of particular claims, especially those considered to be beyond the scope of verifiable human experience or scientific inquiry.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • His agnosticism was not a rejection of faith but a humble admission of the limits of human knowledge.
  • The debate between theism, atheism, and agnosticism is central to the philosophy of religion.
  • Scientific agnosticism demands evidence before accepting any claim about the universe's origins.

Advanced Usage

• "Methodological agnosticism": A principle used in social science and historical research where the investigator suspends or sets aside their own beliefs about the supernatural to study religious phenomena objectively.

  • The anthropologist practiced methodological agnosticism when documenting the tribe's rituals.

• "Temporary agnosticism": A state of withholding judgment on a question until more evidence is available.

  • Regarding the new theory, she maintained a position of temporary agnosticism.

Variants and Related Words

• Agnostic (noun/adjective): A person who holds the view of agnosticism. As an adjective, it describes something related to this view.

  • He described himself as an agnostic.
  • She took an agnostic position on the issue.

• Gnosticism (noun): A contrasting set of religious ideas emphasizing spiritual knowledge (gnosis) as the path to salvation.

Synonyms

• Skepticism: An attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity.
• Doubt: A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
• Uncertainty: The state of being unsure.

Antonyms

• Gnosticism: The claim to possess special, mystical knowledge.
• Dogmatism: The tendency to lay down principles as undeniably true.
• Theism: Belief in the existence of a god or gods.
• Atheism: Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Agnostic on the question of": Used to express a non-committal, doubtful stance regarding a specific issue.

  • The scientist remained agnostic on the question of life on other planets.

• "Philosophical agnosticism": Refers specifically to the formal, reasoned philosophical doctrine as opposed to a casual or personal doubt.

Noun

1. the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge
2. a religious orientation of doubt; a denial of ultimate knowledge of the existence of God
   • agnosticism holds that you can neither prove nor disprove God's existence