What best defines agnosticism?

Study for the Studies of Religion (SOR) II Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Agnosticism is best defined by the idea of uncertainty regarding the existence of a divine or transcendent reality. This perspective holds that human knowledge is limited, particularly in matters of the divine, and thus one cannot say definitively whether such a reality exists or not. Agnostics may acknowledge the possibility of a divine being or being’s absence but ultimately conclude that it is impossible to know for certain.

This definition importantly captures the essence of agnosticism, which neither claims outright disbelief nor firm belief in the divine. Other choices hint at beliefs or assertions about the existence or non-existence of a transcendent reality, which aligns more with atheism or theism, rather than the agnostic position of skepticism about knowledge. The essence of agnosticism lies in its commitment to doubt and the acknowledgment of human limitations in understanding metaphysical concepts.

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