The Meaning and Origins of ‘Agnostic’
The term agnostic often triggers confusion and misinterpretation. To clarify its meaning and etymology, we will delve into the concept of agnosticism and explore what it truly means to identify as an agnostic. Furthermore, we will draw a connection between the term and the renowned dystopian novel Brave New World.
Defining ‘Agnostic’
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines an agnostic as a “person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of immaterial things, especially of the existence or nature of God.” This definition distinguishes the term from atheist, but it is crucial to understand the differences between these concepts.
The term agnostic derives from the ancient Greek prefix a-, meaning “without,” and γνώσις (gnosis), which translates to “knowledge.” Therefore, an agnostic is someone who does not possess definitive knowledge regarding the existence of a deity or deities. This distinction implies that any rational individual, when confronted with the profound mysteries of existence, must, by definition, consider themselves an agnostic.
In contrast, a fervent believer may assert that they “know” there is a God, while a staunch atheist might claim that they “know” there is not. However, neither position possesses absolute certainty. The only intellectually honest stance one can take regarding the existence of divine entities is that of agnosticism.
Belief vs. Knowledge
The words theist and atheist pertain to belief rather than knowledge. The OED’s definition of agnostic becomes somewhat muddled by the inclusion of the term “believes” (“A person who believes that nothing is known”). This conflation blurs the essential distinction between belief and knowledge, which are subtly yet significantly different.
- Theist: A person who believes in the existence of God.
- Atheist: A person who does not believe in the existence of God (the prefix a- signifies “without belief in a God”).
- Agnosticism: An absence of knowledge regarding the existence of a deity.
In essence, all reasonable individuals must acknowledge their agnosticism concerning the existence of God or gods. While one may feel confident in their beliefs, true knowledge remains elusive. For instance, a strong Christian might feel they “know” that God is watching over them, yet this remains a belief rather than a certainty.
The Etymology of ‘Agnostic’
According to the OED, the term agnostic was reportedly coined by T. H. Huxley as an antonym for gnostic. Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-95), known as “Darwin’s Bulldog” for his vigorous defense of Darwinian evolution, is primarily remembered for coining this term. However, did he truly originate it?
The earliest citation for agnostic appears in the Spectator magazine in 1869:
All these considerations, and the great controversies which suggest them, are in the highest degree cultivating, and will be admitted to be so even by those Agnostics who think them profitless of any practical result.
This is intriguing, as the chronology raises questions. The quote from the Spectator is from the May 29, 1869 issue. In an 1889 essay titled “Agnosticism,” T. H. Huxley claims he invented the term at a meeting of the Metaphysical Society in London in 1869. However, the Society didn’t hold its first formal meeting until June 2 of that year—just four days after Agnostics appeared in the Spectator.
It is possible that Huxley used the term at an earlier organizational meeting on April 21, which leaves us in a position of uncertainty. Fittingly, we find ourselves in an agnostic situation regarding the origin of the word, although the evidence seems to lean in Huxley’s favor.
Connection to ‘Brave New World’
Finally, what links the term agnostic to Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World? Aldous Huxley was the grandson of T. H. Huxley, and he identified as an agnostic in matters of faith—although, as we have established, this is a position we all inherently occupy.