Definition

1. Noun:
   • A practical approach to problems and affairs: The quality of dealing with issues based on practical considerations and real-world consequences rather than theories or abstract principles.
   • A philosophical doctrine: In philosophy, the theory that the meaning and truth of concepts are determined by their practical consequences and usefulness.

Usage

• Pragmatism is a mindset focused on what works effectively in practice.
• In philosophy, pragmatism is a school of thought that evaluates ideas and beliefs by their practical results.

Examples

• General Use:
  • His pragmatism helped the company navigate the crisis successfully.
  • We need a leader with pragmatism, not just idealism.
• Philosophical Use:
  • The philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce is considered a founder of pragmatism.
  • Pragmatism argues that the value of an idea lies in its practical application.

Advanced Usage

• "Philosophical pragmatism": Specifically refers to the tradition in American philosophy associated with thinkers like William James and John Dewey.
  • Philosophical pragmatism has significantly influenced educational theory.
• "Political pragmatism": Refers to a flexible, results-oriented approach in politics, often involving compromise.
  • The senator's political pragmatism allowed her to pass key legislation.

Variants and Related Words

• Pragmatic (adj): Dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on practical considerations.
  • She took a pragmatic approach to solving the budget shortfall.
• Pragmatist (n): A person who is guided more by practical considerations than by ideals or theory.
  • As a pragmatist, he focused on feasible solutions.

Synonyms

• Practicality: The quality of being suited for use or action; concerned with actual use.
• Realism: The attitude or practice of accepting a situation as it is and dealing with it accordingly.
• Utilitarianism (in a general, non-philosophical sense): The doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority.

Antonyms

• Idealism: The practice of forming or pursuing ideals, especially unrealistically.
• Dogmatism: The tendency to lay down principles as undeniably true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "If it works, it's true": A colloquial summary of a core pragmatic idea, suggesting that the validity of a concept is proven by its success in practice.
  • His motto was a simple form of pragmatism: "If it works, it's true."

Noun

1. the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth
2. (philosophy) the doctrine that practical consequences are the criteria of knowledge and meaning and value