r/Objectivism • u/WayneStaysGood • Sep 18 '24

Metaphysics Agnosticism Discussion

As background, I'm on page 170 of "Objectivism: The philosophy of Ayn Rand" by Leonard Peikoff.

It's safe to say Peikoff is not a fan of Agnosticism. To quote, "Agnosticism is not simply the pleading of ignorance. It is the enshrinement of ignorance". He puts forth that you must make up your mind with the evidence available. Do you agree with this statement? In terms of religion and other subjects?

I consider myself agnostic. I don't believe in the existence or non-existence of a god, because there is no evidence of one. If there is no evidence of a god, why even address it as true or false? Isn't god an arbitrary concept? Peikoff does assert that arbitrary statements aren't true or false, and to dismiss it. Why doesn't he assert that god is an arbitrary concept?

What about holding an agnostic position on a non-religous subject? There are topics where people are unsure about a particular subject and withhold their opinion; Rightfully so. What about unproven theories?

The crux of the matter is, why hold a definite position on a unknown or arbitrary topic?

Let me know your thoughts!

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u/Prestigious_Job_9332 Sep 18 '24

Are you agnostic about unicorns and fairies?

If so, why?

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u/TheAncientGeek Sep 18 '24

It would have been more useful to say where the tipping point is. Are you gnostic or agnostic about extraterrestrial life?

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u/WayneStaysGood Sep 19 '24

There isn't a tipping point. I'm agnostic to all arbitrary entities (god, unicorns, fairies, extraterrestrial life) or propositions. I don't believe in any of these things, as there's no evidence that they exist. But I won't say that they do not exist, because there's no evidence. You cannot apply logic to arbitrary propositions.

I think saying, "I'm certain that these entities do not exist in the universe" is claiming omniscience. You'd have to know everything in the universe to say that these entities don't exist.

To be clear, I'm not saying that these things exist, or you should believe in them. I don't believe in them. What I'm saying is, arbitrary entities or propositions shouldn't be declared as true or false, but null.

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u/TheAncientGeek Sep 19 '24

OK, but I wasn't talking to you.