agnosticia

Agnosticia is a philosophical position that describes a lack of definitive knowledge or belief regarding the existence or non-existence of a higher power, particularly a deity or deities. It is distinct from atheism, which asserts the non-existence of God, and theism, which asserts the existence of God. Agnostics maintain that the question of God's existence is currently unanswerable or that there is insufficient evidence to form a conclusive belief.

The term "agnosticism" was coined by the English biologist T.H. Huxley in 1869. Huxley defined it as a method and a state of mind, asserting that one should not claim to know what one does not know. This principle is rooted in empiricism and skepticism, emphasizing the importance of evidence and logical reasoning. Agnostics do not necessarily deny the possibility of God's existence but rather assert that such a claim cannot be proven or disproven with certainty based on current human understanding and available evidence.

There are various nuances within agnosticism. Some agnostics might lean towards belief or disbelief, but their defining characteristic is the acknowledgment of uncertainty. Others may express a preference for one side of the argument but still admit the fundamental lack of proof. Ultimately, agnosticism is a stance of intellectual humility, recognizing the limitations of human knowledge when faced with profound metaphysical questions.