Am I an Atheist or an Agnostic?

by Bertrand Russell

Included in this work is the eponymous essay by Bertrand Russell as well as articles and book reviews by Leonard D. Abbott, B. Liber, Prof. J. B. S. Haldane, Dr. D O. Cauldwell, Dr. Jerome Davis, Bryan Fulks, H. G. Hayes, John Mason, E. A. McDonald, John D. McInerney, Frank Swancara, C. A. Willis, and Victor S. Yarros.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, OM, FRS, was a Welsh philosopher, historian, logician, mathematician, advocate for social reform, pacifist, and prominent rationalist. Although he was usually regarded as English, as he spent the majority of his life in England, he was born in Wales, where he also died.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 "in recognition of his varied and significant writings in which he champions humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought."

Reviews

[Andrei Vasilachi · Rating 3 out of 5]

In short, "An Atheist, like a Christian, holds that we can know whether or not there is a God. The Christian holds that we can know there is a God; the atheist, that we can know there is not. The Agnostic suspends judgment, saying that there are not sufficient grounds either for affirmation or for denial."

The only issue I have with this essay is that he speaks as a sort of an authority on Agnostics, while I had some slightly different opinions than him, which also didn't include believing in a God (which basically suggests there are different ways you can be an agnostic, it's not as clear as he makes it seem).

My favorite part, and one with which I agree the most, is this:

"— Do agnostics think that science and religion are impossible to reconcile?

— The answer turns upon what is meant by 'religion'. If it means merely a system of ethics, it can be reconciled with science. If it means a system of dogma, regarded as unquestionably true, it is incompatible with the scientific spirit, which refuses to accept matters of fact without evidence, and also holds that complete certainty is hardly ever attainable."

[Ahmad amar · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Are agnostics atheists?

- No. An atheist, like a Christian, holds that we can know whether or not there is a God. The Christian holds that we can know there is a God; the atheist, that we can know there is not. The Agnostic suspends judgment, saying that there are not sufficient grounds either for affirmation or for denial. At the same time, an Agnostic may hold that the existence of God, though not impossible, is very improbable; he may even hold it so improbable that it is not worth considering in practice. In that case, he is not far removed from atheism. His attitude may be that which a careful philosopher would have towards the gods of ancient Greece. If I were asked to prove that Zeus and Poseidon and Hera and the rest of the Olympians do not exist, I should be at a loss to find conclusive arguments.
An Agnostic may think the Christian God as improbable as the Olympians; in that case, he is, for practical purposes, at one with the atheists.

[Sreena · Rating 4 out of 5]

One can live a meaningful and fulfilling life without relying on supernatural explanations or divine guidance.

The best think about his books are that he writes with clarity and intellectual honesty.

Core of this book
- Discusses the concepts of atheism and agnosticism
- Implications of atheism and agnosticism on morality, ethics, and human happiness
- Russell shares his own struggles and doubts, inviting us as readers to question our own beliefs and engage in a deeper exploration of our worldview.

A book that challenges traditional religious beliefs, encourages critical thinking, and inspires us to ponder own positions on matters of faith

[Nirvana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good brief essay in the subject but the "Agnosticism" have some inconsistency in reasoning and facts that could be seen here in Russel's words too:

Do agnostics think that science and religion are impossible to reconcile?
The answer turns upon what is meant by `religion'. If it means merely a system of ethics, it can be reconciled with science.

He doesn't consider the fact that there is no way to reconcile killings of nonbelievers with science!

[Bruce Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I an atheist or an agnostic? Great question!

[S S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and profound.

[Yassine Tetbirt · Rating 4 out of 5]

يعني إن كان شخص مُقتنع أن كان الله موجودا أم لا فإجاباته واقعية نوعا ما.