What does 'Agnosticism' specifically refer to in a belief context?

Agnosticism specifically refers to the belief regarding the existence of a higher power or deity, characterized by the idea that such existence is unknown or unknowable. This position does not commit to a definitive belief in the existence of a god or gods, but rather acknowledges that human beings do not have sufficient evidence to ascertain such matters.

Individuals who identify as agnostic may hold that while they see the possibility of a higher power, they feel it is not something that can be affirmed or denied with certainty. This framing allows for a more open-ended exploration of spiritual questions, privileging inquiry and personal understanding over dogmatic assertions.

While other belief systems have definitive positions—such as atheism, which firmly denies the existence of gods, or theism, which affirms belief in one or more deities—agnosticism occupies a middle ground focused on the limits of human knowledge in this domain.