Analytical Overview of Skepticism and Intellectual Theories on the Existence of God
Agnosticism is based on the idea that the human intellect is not capable of understanding or determining the existence or non-existence of God. It is an intellectual position because it clearly concludes that acquiring knowledge about the existence of God is impossible.
✔ Ignosticism: This theory holds that debating the reality of God is itself futile.
✔ Apatheism: The belief that one need not consider the existence or non-existence of God at all.
✔ Atheism: The position that God does not exist.
✔ Deism: The belief that God does exist but does not intervene in the universe.
✔ Omnism: The belief that all religions in the world can be correct.
Skepticism, in contrast to these theories, can be described as the state in which an individual contemplates all of these views but does not arrive at a conclusive position. If skepticism leads to a definitive conclusion, then it no longer differs from agnosticism.
At first glance, skepticism seems to provide a pathway to irreligion wherein one can promote irreligion without adopting a firm stance. However, in reality, it too is a form of intellectual position, as it involves arriving at a certain conclusion—whether that is in the form of denial or acceptance.
When discussing the existence or non-existence of God, human knowledge generally revolves around the following two theories:
✿ Monotheism (Tawḥīd): The belief that there is one God, who is the most powerful and the Creator of the universe.
✿ Monism (Wāḥidiyyah): The theory that God and the universe are different aspects of the same reality. No distinction can be made between the universe and God, as they are various manifestations of the same existence.
Monotheism: Regards the source of the universe’s creation to be a supreme being existing outside the universe.
Monism: Considers the universe itself to be the source of creation and believes that everything is encompassed within it.
After acknowledging the existence of God, a question arises: "If God exists, then who created Him?"
Monism: Believes that the universe has always existed and is the source of both the Creator and the creation.
Monotheism: Recognizes God as a being that exists from eternity and is not dependent on any creation.
Skepticism can be described as a state in which a student attentively listens to a discussion but does not reach a conclusion. However, if an individual does arrive at a conclusion, it no longer remains within the realm of skepticism but becomes an intellectual position.
◈ Skepticism can be an intellectual stance in the absence of a definitive theory.
◈ If a conclusion is drawn within skepticism, it ceases to be skepticism and becomes a specific position.
❖ Difference Between Skepticism and Agnosticism
Definition of Agnosticism
Agnosticism is based on the idea that the human intellect is not capable of understanding or determining the existence or non-existence of God. It is an intellectual position because it clearly concludes that acquiring knowledge about the existence of God is impossible.
❖ Other Related Theories
✔ Ignosticism: This theory holds that debating the reality of God is itself futile.
✔ Apatheism: The belief that one need not consider the existence or non-existence of God at all.
✔ Atheism: The position that God does not exist.
✔ Deism: The belief that God does exist but does not intervene in the universe.
✔ Omnism: The belief that all religions in the world can be correct.
Skepticism, in contrast to these theories, can be described as the state in which an individual contemplates all of these views but does not arrive at a conclusive position. If skepticism leads to a definitive conclusion, then it no longer differs from agnosticism.
❖ Intellectual Analysis of Skepticism
At first glance, skepticism seems to provide a pathway to irreligion wherein one can promote irreligion without adopting a firm stance. However, in reality, it too is a form of intellectual position, as it involves arriving at a certain conclusion—whether that is in the form of denial or acceptance.
❖ Possible Theories in the Realm of Knowledge
➊ Possible Positions on the Existence of God
When discussing the existence or non-existence of God, human knowledge generally revolves around the following two theories:
✿ Monotheism (Tawḥīd): The belief that there is one God, who is the most powerful and the Creator of the universe.
✿ Monism (Wāḥidiyyah): The theory that God and the universe are different aspects of the same reality. No distinction can be made between the universe and God, as they are various manifestations of the same existence.
➋ Fundamental Differences Between the Two Theories
Monotheism: Regards the source of the universe’s creation to be a supreme being existing outside the universe.
Monism: Considers the universe itself to be the source of creation and believes that everything is encompassed within it.
➌ The Ultimate Question: Who Created God?
After acknowledging the existence of God, a question arises: "If God exists, then who created Him?"
Monism: Believes that the universe has always existed and is the source of both the Creator and the creation.
Monotheism: Recognizes God as a being that exists from eternity and is not dependent on any creation.
❖ Skepticism: A State of Student Inquiry
Skepticism can be described as a state in which a student attentively listens to a discussion but does not reach a conclusion. However, if an individual does arrive at a conclusion, it no longer remains within the realm of skepticism but becomes an intellectual position.
Conclusion
◈ Skepticism can be an intellectual stance in the absence of a definitive theory.
◈ If a conclusion is drawn within skepticism, it ceases to be skepticism and becomes a specific position.
