Guest Author - Les Shulman
Over time, the term agnosticism has evolved to its present common usage meaning skepticism regarding the provability of the existence of god(s). However, when Thomas Huxley, English biologist and essayist, created the word “agnosticism” in 1869 his definition was much broader than just the supposition that rejects the so-called “knowledge” assertions of both traditional theism and “strong” atheism. Huxley coined the term from the Greek “a” meaning “without” and “gnosis” meaning “knowledge.”
For Huxley, agnosticism included but also went beyond the theistic-atheistic realm as he maintained that “agnosticism is not a creed but a method, the essence of which lies in the vigorous application of a single principle... Positively the principle may be expressed as in matters of intellect, do not pretend conclusions are certain that are not demonstrated or demonstrable.” In other words, only claim to know what has been conclusively proven to be true and accept the notion that some concepts/issues may be beyond provability. Consequently, just as “freethinking” is a process, to Huxley agnosticism was a process/method and not a one concept doctrine (or even a “religion” or “anti-religion” as some people misinterpret it to be!) as it has unfortunately been perceived as being.
Going back to Huxley’s original meaning, agnosticism for me has become a way of life, a consistently applied method of philosophical questioning in which I ponder upon the world’s past, present, and future with the realization that I am “without knowledge” about many aspects of those domains. From the ridiculous to the sublime and everything in between, there are so many things that I am agnostic about. I may not be from Missouri, but here are some of my questions randomly ordered that I would say “show” me with verifiable, scientific, rational, and reasoned evidence, if such evidence is indeed even possible, before I could come to any definitive conclusions about them and, hence, be able to say that I am with knowledge about them- although, in fact, I may not be around to witness and acknowledge many of them.
-Will (and what) “new” species of vertebrates and/or invertebrates be “discovered”?
-Will there be other foods that I like be proven to be carcinogenic?
-What country will be the “strongest”in the world in 25, 100, 500, 2000 years from now?
-Will human beings always be the dominant species on earth?
-What mechanism (and when) was responsible for the “creation” of the universe?
-Will there be another World War and will it be atomic?
-Is it possible that “creatures” like the Loch Ness Monster or the Abominable Snow Man may exist?
-What will be the ultimate effect of global warming?
-Will gasoline powered vehicles ever become extinct?
-How will humans further evolve?
-Will there be any new major religions that become established?
-Will Ted Williams be the last major league baseball player to hit 400?
-Are there any species of animal life thought to be extinct but aren’t?
-Will other forms of eco-political systems arise?
-How much more ecological destruction can the planet absorb and still be “livable” as we now know it?
-What diseases now thought to be incurable will be curable, if any?
-When and where will the next catastrophic earthquake and/or hurricane occur?
-Will other colored precious gemstones be uncovered?
-Are there other life forms outside of the Earth?
-Will there be claims of new biblical proportion miracles?
-Will there ever be an openly gay, Muslim, Jewish, Atheist, Mormon
and/or female president of the United States?
-What is the “fate” of the universe?
As you can ascertain from this very partial list of items that I am agnostic/without knowledge about, some may be construed to be theistic in origin while others (un) decidedly cannot. Huxley’s original process-oriented definition of agnosticism seems to me to make much sense in attempting to come to terms (or not) with the world in which we live for this generation and for those to follow. The proof is in whether something is ultimately demonstrable or not. In reality my list is getting longer with more additions than subtractions and will more than likely continue to do so until I cease to exist.
I have two more questions for now. If there is proven to be a god(s) (and as a naturalistic atheistic agnostic I believe that it probably will never be proven or disproven), do you think she/he/it/they would care who wins the Football World Cup? Finally, what are you “without knowledge” about?
