QuoteProject
Agnosticism is not properly described as a "negative" creed, nor indeed as a creed of any kind, except in so far as it expresses absolute faith in the validity of a principle which is as much ethical as intellectual.
Thomas Huxley
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Agnosticism embraces a commitment to questioning and understanding rather than adhering to definitive beliefs.

In this quote, Thomas Huxley suggests that agnosticism should not be seen merely as a denial of belief or an empty stance; instead, it embodies a profound commitment to the principles of inquiry and ethics. Huxley emphasizes that agnosticism is rooted in the belief that both ethical and intellectual considerations should guide our understanding of truth and reality, indicating that the pursuit of knowledge is inherently an ethical responsibility.

Themes

AgnosticismFaithKnowledgeEthicsInquiry

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a philosophical debate about the nature of belief and knowledge.

More from Thomas Huxley

It is wrong for a man to say that he is certain of the objective truth of any proposition unless he can produce evidence which logically justifies that certainty.
Thomas HuxleyRead
The child who has been taught to make an accurate elevation, plan, and section of a pint pot has had an admirable training in accuracy of eye and hand.
Thomas HuxleyRead
Let us have "sweet girl graduates" by all means. They will be none the less sweet for a little wisdom; and the "golden hair" will not curl less gracefully outside the head by reason of there being brains within.
Thomas HuxleyRead
The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of childhood into maturity.
Thomas HuxleyRead
It is the first duty of a hypothesis to be intelligible.
Thomas HuxleyRead
Of the few innocent pleasures left to men past middle life, the jamming of common sense down the throats of fools is perhaps the keenest.
Thomas HuxleyRead

Similar quotes

Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
PlatoRead
I believe all Americans are born with certain inalienable rights. As a child of God, I believe my rights are not derived from the constitution. My rights are not derived from any government. My rights are not denied by any majority. My rights are because I exist. They were given to me and each of my fellow citizens by our creator, and they represent the essence of human dignity.
Joe BidenRead
The principle of tolerance and respect for freedom promoted by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council are today being manipulated and erroneously taken too far.
Pope Benedict XviRead
The justification and the purpose of freedom of speech is not to indulge those who want to speak their minds. It is to prevent error and discover truth. There may be other ways of detecting error and discovering truth than that of free discussion, but so far we have not found them.
Henry Steele CommagerRead
Thinking is a sacred disease and sight is deceptive.
HeraclitusRead
To the children and the innocent it's all the same.
Jack KerouacRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.