AGNOSTICISM Meaning and
Definition
-
Agnosticism is a philosophical and theological standpoint that asserts the inability to know or possess certainty about the existence or nonexistence of a supreme being or deity. This term originated in the mid-19th century and is derived from the Greek words "a," which means "without," and "gnōsis," meaning "knowledge."
Agnostics often maintain that the fundamental nature of the divine or spiritual realm is ultimately unknowable and beyond the scope of human understanding. They neither affirm nor deny the existence of a divine being, emphasizing the limitations of human knowledge and the ambiguity surrounding such matters. Agnosticism allows for the possibility of a higher power or supernatural existence, but suggests that it is beyond human comprehension.
While agnosticism is often associated with religious skepticism, it is not inherently incompatible with religious beliefs. Agnostics may identify with particular religious practices or traditions, while maintaining doubt regarding the existence of a deity. Agnosticism also encompasses an open-minded approach to questioning religious doctrines, encouraging critical examination and exploring alternative perspectives.
It is important to note that agnosticism should not be confused with atheism. While atheists outright deny the existence of a deity, agnostics refrain from making definitive claims about the existence or nonexistence of a divine being. Agnosticism, therefore, serves as a philosophical position that acknowledges the limitations of human knowledge regarding the metaphysical and supernatural realms.
Top Common Misspellings for AGNOSTICISM *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for AGNOSTICISM
Etymology of AGNOSTICISM
The word "agnosticism" was coined by the English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley in 1869. It originates from the Greek words "agnostos", meaning "unknown" or "unknowable", and "ismos", a suffix used to form nouns indicating a specific belief or ideology. Huxley created the term to describe his own position on religious belief, which is characterized by the assertion that the existence or nonexistence of a higher power or deity is fundamentally unknowable and beyond human comprehension.
Similar spelling words for AGNOSTICISM
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
