Agnosticism

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /æɡˈnÉ’stɪsɪzÉ™m/
• GenAm IPA: /æɡˈnÉ‘stɪsɪzÉ™m/

Origin

- + gnostic + -

Full definition of agnosticism

Noun

1. The view that absolute truth or ultimate certainty is unattainable, especially regarding knowledge not based on experience or perceivable phenomena.
2. The view that the existence of God or of all deities is unknown, unknowable, unproven, or unprovable.
3. Doubt, uncertainty, or scepticism regarding the existence of a god or gods.
• 1956,

• 1988: James B. Simpson, Simpson’s Contemporary Quotations, â„– 4,393 (Houghton Mifflin, ISBN 0395430852)The Old Testament is responsible for more atheism, agnosticism, disbelief — call it what you will — than any book ever written; it has emptied more churches than all the counterattractions of cinema, motor bicycle and golf course.

Derived terms

Coordinate terms

• deism

Related terms