Weak agnosticism
Encyclopedia
Weak agnosticism is the assertion that, at present, there is not enough information to know whether any deities exist, but that such might become knowable. It is in contrast to strong agnosticism
, which is the belief that the existence of any gods is completely unknowable to human
ity. Neither type of agnosticism
is fully irreconcilable with theism
(belief in a deity
or deities) nor atheism
(rejecting belief in all deities). Weak agnostics who also consider themselves theists are likely to acknowledge they have some doubt
, though they are not necessarily having a crisis of faith
. Weak agnosticism is compatible with weak atheism, as weak atheists also do not assert that it is false that any deities exist.
Weak agnosticism is also referred to as empirical agnosticism and as negative agnosticism.
According to Graham Oppy
, weak agnosticism is "the view which is sustained by the thesis that it is permissible for reasonable persons to suspend judgement on the question of God's existence."
.jpg)
One reason why weak agnostics may hold such beliefs is their belief that no irrefutable or sufficiently strong evidence exists proving or disproving the existence of god(s). Weak agnostics differ from strong agnostics in that they believe the existence or non-existence of god(s) might yet be proven by science
or philosophy
. Weak agnostics simply feel that humanity is not there yet, weak agnosticism is not a belief or faith which one can hold in the light of extreme amounts of rational coherent scientific evidence to support the existence of god(s), "godlike" entity, or non-existence, so if it can be proved, either way, then the weak-agnostic will acknowledge it.
In a western monotheistic system, it can be argued that since evil and suffering exist under an omnipotent and benevolent god, this god must not exist. This does not refute the existence of a non-benevolent god(s), nor does it account for many of the arguments of Theodicy
, the specific branch of theology
and philosophy
that attempts to reconcile the problem of evil
.
A weak agnostic would say, "I don't know whether any deities exist or not, but maybe one day, when there is evidence, we can find something out."
either to believe that a deity exists or to deny any deity exists. There are many theists who agree that they do not know their belief to be true, and there are many atheists (See: agnostic atheism
) who do not claim certainty that no deity exists. Agnostic theists
seldom identify primarily as agnostic, and many people who primarily identify as agnostic do not believe in a deity. Richard Dawkins refers to weak agnostics as "Temporary Agnostics in Practice" (TAPs), and he considers them to be reasonable people due to the lack of certainty one way or the other. Dawkins, however, argues that weak agnostics are really de facto atheists.
Strong agnosticism
Strong agnosticism or positive agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible for humans to know whether or not any deities exist. It is a narrower view than weak agnosticism, which states that the existence or nonexistence of any deities is unknown but not necessarily unknowable.Strong...
, which is the belief that the existence of any gods is completely unknowable to human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
ity. Neither type of agnosticism
Agnosticism
Agnosticism is the view that the truth value of certain claims—especially claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity, but also other religious and metaphysical claims—is unknown or unknowable....
is fully irreconcilable with theism
Theism
Theism, in the broadest sense, is the belief that at least one deity exists.In a more specific sense, theism refers to a doctrine concerning the nature of a monotheistic God and God's relationship to the universe....
(belief in a deity
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
or deities) nor atheism
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
(rejecting belief in all deities). Weak agnostics who also consider themselves theists are likely to acknowledge they have some doubt
Doubt
Doubt, a status between belief and disbelief, involves uncertainty or distrust or lack of sureness of an alleged fact, an action, a motive, or a decision. Doubt brings into question some notion of a perceived "reality", and may involve delaying or rejecting relevant action out of concerns for...
, though they are not necessarily having a crisis of faith
Crisis of faith
Crisis of faith is a term commonly applied to periods of intense doubt and internal conflict about one's preconceived beliefs or life decisions...
. Weak agnosticism is compatible with weak atheism, as weak atheists also do not assert that it is false that any deities exist.
Weak agnosticism is also referred to as empirical agnosticism and as negative agnosticism.
According to Graham Oppy
Graham Oppy
Graham Robert Oppy is an Australian philosopher whose main area of research is the philosophy of religion. He currently holds the posts of Professor of Philosophy and Associate Dean of Research at Monash University and serves as Associate Editor of the Australasian Journal of Philosophy, and...
, weak agnosticism is "the view which is sustained by the thesis that it is permissible for reasonable persons to suspend judgement on the question of God's existence."
Justification of weak agnosticism
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
or philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. Weak agnostics simply feel that humanity is not there yet, weak agnosticism is not a belief or faith which one can hold in the light of extreme amounts of rational coherent scientific evidence to support the existence of god(s), "godlike" entity, or non-existence, so if it can be proved, either way, then the weak-agnostic will acknowledge it.
In a western monotheistic system, it can be argued that since evil and suffering exist under an omnipotent and benevolent god, this god must not exist. This does not refute the existence of a non-benevolent god(s), nor does it account for many of the arguments of Theodicy
Theodicy
Theodicy is a theological and philosophical study which attempts to prove God's intrinsic or foundational nature of omnibenevolence , omniscience , and omnipotence . Theodicy is usually concerned with the God of the Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, due to the relevant...
, the specific branch of theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
that attempts to reconcile the problem of evil
Problem of evil
In the philosophy of religion, the problem of evil is the question of how to explain evil if there exists a deity that is omnibenevolent, omnipotent, and omniscient . Some philosophers have claimed that the existences of such a god and of evil are logically incompatible or unlikely...
.
A weak agnostic would say, "I don't know whether any deities exist or not, but maybe one day, when there is evidence, we can find something out."
Criticism of agnosticism
Weak agnostics have often been accused of being "fence-sitters", that is, indecisive. This arises if one considers the matter to be about belief rather than about knowledge. (Cf. Epistemology) For agnostics, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that there is not enough information to justify a knowledge claim, and that it would be a leap of faithLeap of faith
A leap of faith, in its most commonly used meaning, is the act of believing in or accepting something intangible or unprovable, or without empirical evidence...
either to believe that a deity exists or to deny any deity exists. There are many theists who agree that they do not know their belief to be true, and there are many atheists (See: agnostic atheism
Agnostic atheism
Agnostic atheism, also called atheistic agnosticism, is a philosophical position that encompasses both atheism and agnosticism. Agnostic atheists are atheistic because they do not hold a belief in the existence of any deity and agnostic because they claim that the existence of a deity is either...
) who do not claim certainty that no deity exists. Agnostic theists
Agnostic theism
Agnostic theism is the philosophical view that encompasses both theism and agnosticism. An agnostic theist believes the proposition at least one deity exists is true, but regards the truth or falsehood of this proposition as unknown or inherently unknowable...
seldom identify primarily as agnostic, and many people who primarily identify as agnostic do not believe in a deity. Richard Dawkins refers to weak agnostics as "Temporary Agnostics in Practice" (TAPs), and he considers them to be reasonable people due to the lack of certainty one way or the other. Dawkins, however, argues that weak agnostics are really de facto atheists.