Question

Agnostic theists and atheists believe themselves to be hopelessly ignorant concerning the existence of the supernatural or paranormal. To them, gnostic atheism isn't adequately supported by evidence, and because "absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence," and "all you know is that you know nothing," they suspend judgment on whether or not there is a god, soul, ghost, demon, or afterlife

"There might be a god that doesn't interfere with the world it created, you could never know," they say

But can we know? Can philosophy prove that there is no such thing as supernatural or paranormal? How can we argue against every interpretation of god, soul, ghost, demon, or afterlife, if their existence can't be proved or disproved?

Answer 1

Agnostic theists and atheists acknowledge the limitations of human knowledge regarding the supernatural or paranormal, asserting that gnostic atheism lacks sufficient evidence. While philosophy may provide arguments against specific interpretations of gods, souls, ghosts, demons, or afterlife, proving or disproving their existence entirely remains elusive due to the inherent complexities of metaphysical concepts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Agnostic theists and atheists adopt a position of epistemic humility, recognizing the inherent uncertainty in affirming or denying the existence of the supernatural or paranormal. They argue that gnostic atheism, which asserts the non-existence of deities or other metaphysical entities, may lack empirical support. The principle that "absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence" is highlighted, emphasizing the difficulty in disproving the existence of something beyond the scope of empirical observation.

Philosophy, while offering compelling arguments, often deals with abstract concepts that may not lend themselves to empirical verification. Arguments against specific interpretations of gods, souls, ghosts, demons, or afterlife may be based on logical inconsistencies or lack of evidence, but proving the non-existence of such entities remains a challenging task.

The statement "all you know is that you know nothing" reflects the acknowledgment of the limitations of human cognition and the complexity of metaphysical inquiries. The agnostic stance, in this context, emphasizes the suspension of absolute judgment on the existence of supernatural phenomena, allowing for the possibility of entities that transcend current human understanding.

In summary, while philosophy can provide reasoned arguments against specific interpretations, proving or disproving the existence of the supernatural or paranormal entirely remains a complex challenge due to the abstract and elusive nature of these concepts. The agnostic position, characterized by intellectual humility, acknowledges the inherent limitations of human knowledge in the face of metaphysical inquiries.