agnosticism

American  

[ag-nos-tuh-siz-uhm] / ægˈnɒs təˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. the belief that the answers to the basic questions of existence, such as the nature of the ultimate cause and whether or not there is a supreme being, are unknown or unknowable.

2. an intellectual doctrine or attitude affirming the uncertainty of all claims to ultimate knowledge.

3. an attitude or view that does not conform to either of two opposing positions on a topic.

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agnosticism Cultural  

1. A denial of knowledge about whether there is or is not a God. An agnostic insists that it is impossible to prove that there is no God and impossible to prove that there is one. (Compare atheism.)

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Etymology

Origin of agnosticism

First recorded in 1870–75; agnostic ( def. ) + -ism ( def. )

Example Sentences

Watching my wife’s spiritual evolution from agnosticism to Christianity, I saw that she was acquiring insights I lacked.

From The Wall Street Journal

Each brick of evidence must be placed on top of another, each layer of mortar mixed through the arguments, scepticism and agnosticism of many, many scientists.

From Scientific American

E: Isn’t agnosticism frankly the most honest position?

From Washington Times

Cullors revealed that she was raised a Jehovah’s Witness, but later went through phases of atheism and agnosticism.

From New York Times

My view on crime rates is a consistent and firm agnosticism, or perhaps befuddlement.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• ambiguity
• apprehension
• confusion
• difficulty
• disbelief
• distrust
• fear
• hesitation
• misgiving
• mistrust
• problem
• qualm
• reluctance
• skepticism
• suspense
• suspicion
• uncertainty