Agnosticism

Toward a Typology of Nonreligion: A Qualitative Analysis of Everyday Narratives of Scottish University Students

by Christopher R. Cotter

This is my MSc by Research thesis which was submitted to the University of Edinburgh in August 2011. Please use as you see fir, but I request that you run any citations by me at this stage whilst I pursue publications.

Citation format: Cotter, Christopher R. 2011. "Toward a Typology of Nonreligion: A Qualitative Analysis of Everyday Narratives of Scottish University Students". Unpublished MSc by Research Thesis. University of Edinburgh, August 2011.

This paper documents a yearlong project amongst the student body of the University of Edinburgh, under the supervision... more This paper documents a yearlong project amongst the student body of the University of Edinburgh, under the supervision of Dr Steven Sutcliffe, focussing on ‘nonreligious’ undergraduates - whether explicitly irreligious/undecided, those occupying the ‘fuzzy middle’, or those termed ‘nominal’ believers.
Similar studies are virtually non-existent in the UK, and in the US, nonreligious students tend to be ignored or treated as a monolithic religious minority. Through questionnaires and in-depth interviews, this study explores this neglected area, examining: if and how religious/non-religious/irreligious identities are constructed; the importance of religion/nonreligion versus other sources of significance; and the subjective meanings ascribed to key emic terms.

In addition to raising informative questions, the author demonstrates that the limited number of current typologies, based on internally and/or externally selected and defined nonreligious identity labels, tend to be inadequate and inaccurate. Nonreligious students are shown to be highly aware of the subjectivity of their interpretations of key identity terms, and in many cases they maintain multiple identities simultaneously, in a situational and pragmatic fashion. These identities also vary in terms of concreteness and salience, and are informed by a wide variety of relationship- and education-based subjective experiences. A more nuanced approach is then proposed, based on students’ personal narratives obtained through questionnaires and interviews, categorising individuals according to the overarching narrative through which they claim to interact with (non)religion.

Death, Discipline and Domination in the Ituri Rainforest

by Daniel Bitton

A perspective on the dynamics of the complex social, economic and ritual partnership that exists between egalitarian... more A perspective on the dynamics of the complex social, economic and ritual partnership that exists between egalitarian hunter-gatherers and hierarchical horticulturalists in the Congolese rain forest.

'Absence of Evidence, Evidence of Absence, and the Atheist's Teapot.'

by Brian Garvey

Ars Disputandi, 10 (2010)

Atheists often admit that there is no positive evidence for atheism. Many argue that there is nonetheless a prima... more Atheists often admit that there is no positive evidence for atheism. Many argue that there is nonetheless a prima facie argument, which I will refer to as the ‘teapot argument’. They liken agnosticism to remaining neutral on the existence of a teapot in outer space. The present paper argues that this analogy fails, for the person who denies such a teapot can agree with the person who affirms it regarding every other feature of the world, which is not the case with the atheist vis-a-vis the theist. The atheist is committed to there being an alternative explanation of why the universe exists and is the way it is. Moreover, the analogy relies on assumptions about the prior plausibility of atheism. Hence, the teapot argument fails.

Why absolute agnosticism about a theistic god is incoherent

by Titus Rivas

For a Dutch version, see: http://www.txtxs.nl/artikel.asp?artid=157

Absolute agnosticism claims that it is in principle impossible to know whether there is a theistic god, whereas a... more Absolute agnosticism claims that it is in principle impossible to know whether there is a theistic god, whereas a theistic god is a god whose existence is by definition knowable in principle through knowable aspects of his creation.

What if we find no evidence for a theistic creation?

by Titus Rivas

If it turned out there is no evidence of any kind for creation, not only would there be no evidence for the existence... more If it turned out there is no evidence of any kind for creation, not only would there be no evidence for the existence of a theistic creator, but due to the definition of a theistic creator, this would also amount to evidence against creation and thereby also against a theistic creator.

Materialistisch obscurantisme: een milde bespreking van Wat een onzin! van Herman de Regt en Hans Dooremalen

by Titus Rivas

Published in Terugkeer, 20 (1), Spring 2009, 23-26.

The authors explains why he considers 'Wat een onzin' by
Herman de Regt and Hans Dooremalen an appalling example... more The authors explains why he considers 'Wat een onzin' by
Herman de Regt and Hans Dooremalen an appalling example of materialistic obscurantism.

Agnostic epiphenomenalism?: Response to a comment

by Titus Rivas

Critics of Exit Epiphenomenalism (by Rivas and Van Dongen) proposed a new definition of a more sophisticated... more Critics of Exit Epiphenomenalism (by Rivas and Van Dongen) proposed a new definition of a more sophisticated epiphenomenalism which would not include any claims about the reality of consciousness. This new type of epiphenomenalism would accept the idea that any type of knowledge of consciousness is simply impossible. It would truly be an agnostic type of epiphenomenalism.

Have You Never a Hill Mizar to Remember? Some thoughts on agnosticism and meaning.

by Tamsin Spargo

International Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Society, Vol 1, Issue 1 (2011)

Exploration of agnosticism, understood as strong uncertainty, as alternative to return to fundamentalism and... more Exploration of agnosticism, understood as strong uncertainty, as alternative to return to fundamentalism and foreclosure of post-structuralist approaches to ontology encoded in contemporary evangelical atheism.

An Agnostic Theology

by Kile Jones

Published on The Secular Web

For years now we have thought that agnosticism and theology were incompatible, for lack of better reasons, because... more For years now we have thought that agnosticism and theology were incompatible, for lack of better reasons, because theology was thought to entail revelation. Revelation, in turn, was considered by some theologians as an adequate source of knowledge and the claims to knowledge of God where not ones of possibility. It seems as if there is no place for one to say “I believe God may probably exist” or “God might exist” or “you can never know if God exists, but it is possible.” I am going to argue that it is entirely plausible, even intellectually honest, to have an agnostic theology, for it allows one to provide reasons for possible belief in God while simultaneously allowing reasons for possible non-belief in God. Just because our tools may be limited, it does not mean that what they cannot grasp is or is not actually there.

Review of Ronald Aronson's book, 'Living without God: New Directions for Atheists, Agnostics, Secularists, and the Undecided'

by Jim Farmelant

Sechs prominente amerikanische Freidenker

by Jim Farmelant

German translation of 'Six Prominent American Freethinkers', translated by Peter Kopf.  Published in 'Aufklärung und Kritik', October 2009.

Six Prominent American Freethinkers (with Mark Lindley)

by Jim Farmelant

published online at the MRZine website (which is sponsored by Monthly Review).

A discussion of six prominent American freethinkers:  Colonel Robert Ingersoll, Felix Adler, George Santayana,... more A discussion of six prominent American freethinkers:  Colonel Robert Ingersoll, Felix Adler, George Santayana, John Dewey, Ayn Rand, and Michael Harrington.  Six American freethinkers of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, and of diverse political outlooks.

The Humble Agnostic Shrugs

by William Ferraiolo