What is agnosticism? Is it just the `don`t know` position on God, or is there more to it than this? Is it a belief, or merely the absence of belief? Who were the first to call themselves `agnostics`?

These are just some of the questions that Robin Le Poidevin considers in this Very Short Introduction. He sets the philosophical case for agnosticism and explores it as a historical and cultural phenomenon. What emerges is a much more sophisticated, and much more interesting, attitude than a simple failure to either commit to, or reject, religious belief. Le Poidevin challenges some preconceptions and assumptions among both believers and non-atheists, and invites the reader to rethink their own position on the issues.

Table of Contents:
1: What is agnosticism?
2: Who were the first agnostics?
3: Is agnosticism necessary?
4: Why be agnostic?
5: Does agnosticism rest on a mistake?
6: How should the agnostic live?
7: How should agnosticism be taught?
References and further reading

Author Information:
Robin Le Poidevin, Professor of Metaphysics, University of Leeds