You are here: Philosophy >> Learn More About Agnostics! >> Agnosticism

What is agnosticism?

The term agnosticism raises questions in many philosophy discussions. When the conversation turns to religion, many state their position with terms like skeptic, atheist, or agnostic. After reading this primer on agnosticism and examining what you believe, youll be better prepared to intelligently join the debate.

What does agnostic mean? The term agnostic is derived from two Greek words: a, meaning no, and gnosis, meaning knowledge. Literally an agnostic is a person who claims to have no knowledge. Often agnostics apply this lack of knowledge to the existence of God. In this case, an agnostic is one who does not affirm or deny the existence of God.

What does an agnostic really believe? There are two basic forms of agnosticism. The weak form claims that God is not known. This view holds onto the possibility that God may be known. The strong form of agnosticism claims that God is unknowable. This form says God cannot be known by anyone.

Two other types with respect to the ability to know God are limited and unlimited agnosticism. Limited agnosticism holds that God is partially unknowable. It is possible to know some things, but not everything, about God. Unlimited agnosticism, however, claims that God is completely unknowable. It says that it is impossible to know anything about God.

Foundations of agnosticism The two most influential thinkers to advance the philosophy of agnosticism were David Hume (1711-1976) and Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). While Hume was technically a skeptic, his arguments inevitably lead to agnosticism.

At the heart of David Humes ideas was his claim that there are only two kinds of meaningful statements. He wrote in his Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding:

If we take into our hands any volume, of divinity or school metaphysics for instance, does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames, for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion.

Unless a statement is either a relation of ideas or a matter of fact, it is meaningless. Since statements about the knowledge of God are outside of these two categories, God is essentially unknowable.

Here is the original post:
Agnosticism - AllAboutPhilosophy.org