agnosticism
/æɡˈnɒstɪsɪzəm/
agnosticism means the view that absolute truth or ultimate certainty is unattainable, especially regarding knowledge not based on experience or perceivable phenomena. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 79 out of 100.
agnosticism is pronounced /æɡˈnɒstɪsɪzəm/.
Why “agnosticism” is a great word
AGNOSTICISM — [Noun] The philosophical position that the existence of God or ultimate reality is unknown and perhaps unknowable. Coined in 1869 by Thomas Henry Huxley. From the Greek a- ("without, not") and gnōstos ("known"), via the English gnostic, with the suffix -ism. Unlike atheism, which positively asserts a belief in divine non-existence, or skepticism, which denotes a generalized attitude of doubt, agnosticism is a specific, principled suspension of judgment based on the limits of human knowledge. It is the quiet refusal to color in the margins of the cosmic map, the steady gaze into a well whose bottom is lost to shadow, and the clear, cold air one breathes at the summit of an inquiry from which no revelation descends—a disciplined humility marking the precise frontier where curiosity meets its immutable limit.
Etymology
Coined by Thomas Henry Huxley. From a- + gnostic + -ism (see also agnostic).
noun
- The view that absolute truth or ultimate certainty is unattainable, especially regarding knowledge not based on experience or perceivable phenomena.
- The view that the existence of God or of all deities is unknown, unknowable, unproven, or unprovable.“Holonyms: epistemology, cosmology, ontology, philosophy”
- Doubt, uncertainty, or scepticism regarding the existence of a god or gods.“1956, January 31ˢᵗ: Alan Alexander Milne; quoted in:”
- Doubt, uncertainty, or scepticism regarding any subject of dispute.