agnosticism
Let an agent explain agnosticism and its varieties, relay its history and philosophical arguments from academic sources with attribution, describe how it relates to theism and atheism, and distinguish agnosticism from atheism, deism, scepticism and indifference.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain agnosticism and its varieties, relay its history and philosophical arguments from academic sources with attribution, describe how it relates to theism and atheism, and distinguish agnosticism from atheism, deism, scepticism and indifference.
The view that the existence of God or the divine is unknown or unknowable, or that claims about it cannot be justified, a term coined by Thomas Huxley in 1869, held in forms ranging from strong agnosticism, which holds such knowledge impossible, to weak agnosticism, which suspends judgement, and combined with belief or disbelief as agnostic theism, which believes without claiming knowledge, and agnostic atheism; agnosticism concerns knowledge rather than belief and is distinct from atheism and from religious indifference.
What it is for: Not applicable; a philosophical position.
It can be explain the position; relay history and arguments; describe relations to belief; distinguish related positions.
Distinguishing features
About knowledge, not belief
Strong and weak forms
Compatible with theism or atheism
Huxleyan origin
What it looks like
Not a visible object; a stance on knowledge of the divine.
Physical character
term coined: 1869 year - Thomas Huxley
self-identified agnostics in surveys: varies note - often a few percent
How it is recognised
Position that the divine is unknown or unknowable
Strong and weak agnosticism, agnostic theism, agnostic atheism
Atheism concerns belief; deism affirms a creator; apatheism is indifference
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms, as an epistemic stance
was coined by - in 1869
is contrasted with - which concerns belief
is combined in - with belief in God
In practice
Families and kinds
strong or hard agnosticism
weak or soft agnosticism
agnostic theism
agnostic atheism
apathetic agnosticism
ignosticism as a related view
Standards and regulation
No regulation; freedom of belief protections
Failure modes and hazards
Confusing agnosticism with atheism
Presenting one definition as the only one
Disrespect toward believers or non-believers
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What agnosticism is.
Attribution.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is agnosticism, and how does it differ from atheism, deism, scepticism and indifference? definition
- Is the question about the philosophical position or about personal belief? boundary
Varieties
Varieties.
Varieties
Varieties.
- What are strong and weak agnosticism, agnostic theism and agnostic atheism? definition
- Which entry fits the specific variety? action
History History.
Attribution.
Origins
Origins.
Origins
Origins.
- How did Huxley coin the term, and what earlier thinkers held similar views, as historians describe? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Thinkers
Thinkers.
Thinkers
Thinkers.
- How have Kant, Spencer, Russell and others contributed to agnostic thought, with positions attributed? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Arguments Arguments.
Attribution.
For
Arguments for.
For
For.
- What arguments support agnosticism, from limits of knowledge to evidential balance, with positions attributed? provenance
- Is the presentation neutral? boundary
Against
Criticisms.
Against
Against.
- What criticisms do theists and atheists make of agnosticism, with positions attributed? provenance
- Which entry fits philosophy of religion? action
Context Society and religion.
Context.
Society
Demographics.
Society
Society.
- How many people identify as agnostic, and how do surveys measure it? provenance
- Which entry fits irreligion? action
Religion
Agnosticism within religions.
Religion
Religion.
- How do some religious traditions accommodate agnostic stances, as their thinkers describe? provenance
- Which entry fits the specific tradition? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should agnostic theism be a separate primary entry?
- How should philosophical sources be linked?
- How should survey data on self-identification be recorded?