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What are some famous philosophers or thinkers who have identified as agnostic?

Linnie Sybry

Well, that's a great question, and I'm glad you asked! Agnosticism is a fascinating philosophical position, one that has been taken up by many important figures throughout history.

To start with, one of the most famous agnostics was the British philosopher Bertrand Russell. Russell was a powerful voice in early 20th-century philosophy, and his work had a major influence on the development of analytic philosophy. He identified as an agnostic throughout his life, famously scoffing at the idea that anyone could know for certain whether or not God existed.

Another important figure in the world of philosophy who identified as an agnostic was the French existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre. Sartre is perhaps best known for his work on phenomenology, but he was also a deeply committed political thinker and social commentator. Despite his agnosticism, Sartre was deeply concerned with issues of social justice and worked tirelessly to promote radical political and social change.

Another influential philosopher who identified as an agnostic was Ludwig Wittgenstein, the Austrian-British philosopher who is often regarded as one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century. Wittgenstein's work on language and meaning has had a major impact on both analytic philosophy and literary theory, and his ideas remain controversial to this day. Like Russell, however, Wittgenstein was deeply skeptical of religious claims and maintained throughout his life that there was no way to know for sure whether or not God existed.

Of course, these are just a few examples of the many great philosophers who have identified as agnostic over the years. Other important figures include the French philosopher Michel Foucault, the German philosopher Martin Heidegger, and the American philosopher Richard Rorty, just to name a few.

Overall, I think it's fascinating to see how many great thinkers throughout history have grappled with the question of whether or not we can really know anything for certain about the world around us. Whether you're a believer or an agnostic, there's no denying that the ideas and insights of these influential philosophers continue to shape the way we think about the world today.