Agnosticism
Definition and Etymology
Agnosticism is a philosophical viewpoint that emerged in the 19th century, coined by biologist Thomas H. Huxley. The term is derived from the Greek 'agnostos', meaning 'unknown' or 'unknowable', and 'gnōsis', meaning 'knowledge'. It is a standpoint that the existence of a higher power, such as a deity, is unknown or unknowable. Agnostics assert that it is not possible to have absolute or certain knowledge of God or the divine.
Types of Agnosticism
There are several types of agnosticism, each with its own distinct perspective on knowledge and belief.
Strong Agnosticism
Strong agnosticism, also known as hard agnosticism, agnostic atheism, or agnosto-atheism, is the belief that the question of the existence of deities is unknowable by nature or that human beings are ill-equipped to evaluate the evidence.
Weak Agnosticism
Weak agnosticism, also known as soft agnosticism, agnostic theism, or agnosto-theism, is the view that the existence or nonexistence of any deities is currently unknown but is not necessarily unknowable, therefore one will withhold judgment until/if any evidence is available.
Apathetic Agnosticism
Apathetic agnosticism claims that it does not matter whether deities exist or not, and that if they do exist, they do not appear to be concerned about the fate of humans. Therefore, their existence has little to no impact on personal human affairs.
Agnostic Atheism
Agnostic atheism is a philosophical position that encompasses both atheism and agnosticism. Agnostic atheists are atheistic because they do not hold a belief in the existence of any deity, and agnostic because they claim that the existence of a deity is either unknowable in principle or currently unknown in fact.
Agnostic Theism
Agnostic theism is the philosophical view that encompasses both theism and agnosticism. An agnostic theist believes in the existence of a god or gods, but regards the basis of this proposition as unknown or inherently unknowable.
History of Agnosticism
The concept of agnosticism has been present in various forms since ancient times, but the modern use of the term has its roots in the mid-19th century. The term 'agnostic' was first publicly coined in 1869 by Thomas H. Huxley at a meeting of the Metaphysical Society in London. Huxley created the term as a contrast to the 'gnostics' of early Christian history, who claimed to 'know' so much about the very things of which Huxley was ignorant.
Agnosticism in Religion
While agnosticism is often viewed as a stance taken in opposition to traditional religions, many religious traditions actually incorporate elements of agnosticism. In some religions, agnosticism is seen as a legitimate stance to take on the divine or the afterlife, while in others, it is seen as a sign of humility or a recognition of the limits of human understanding.
Agnosticism in Christianity
Within Christianity, agnosticism is often seen as a middle ground between faith and atheism. Some Christian theologians have argued that knowledge of God's existence is not necessary for faith, and that agnosticism is compatible with a Christian life.
Agnosticism in Buddhism
In Buddhism, the Buddha himself is often seen as an agnostic, as he refused to answer certain metaphysical questions. He famously remained silent when asked about the existence of gods, the nature of the afterlife, and other topics that he viewed as unhelpful in the pursuit of enlightenment.
Agnosticism in Hinduism
In Hinduism, there are several schools of thought that incorporate agnostic principles. The school of Samkhya, for example, is a system of Hindu philosophy that denies the existence of God.
Criticisms and Controversies
Agnosticism has been subject to various criticisms and controversies. Some critics argue that agnosticism is an untenable position, either because it avoids the question of God's existence or because it is equivalent to atheism. Others argue that agnosticism is a weak or cowardly stance, avoiding the hard questions about life and existence.