Pragmatic is the philosophy of “doing what works best.” A pragmatic person takes a practical approach, focusing on concrete results and practical solutions. They are natural problem solvers who focus on what will actually work in the real world, rather than idealistic notions. The term pragmatic comes from the Greek word pragma, meaning “deed” or “practical matter.” A four-year-old who wants a unicorn for their birthday is not a pragmatic person, but a person who is reasonable, grounded, and practical—and knows that they might get rained out.
The study of pragmatics is a subfield of linguistics and related disciplines, including philosophy, sociology, and ethics. It evaluates how context contributes to meaning, and it considers how speakers communicate with one another. Linguists who specialize in pragmatics are called pragmaticians.
A central feature of the theory of pragmatics is that a speaker’s intentions and beliefs are not just determined by the phonetic and grammatical structure of their words but also by how they are uttered and in what particular circumstances. It is this contextual component of meaning that makes the field of pragmatics different from other linguistic studies.
Contemporary philosophical approaches to pragmatics fall into two broad categories: those that view pragmatics as a theoretical project along the lines of Grice’s Relevance Theory, and those that see it as an empirical psychological theory of utterance interpretation. The latter tend to emphasize the role of pragmatics in a speaker’s perception of what other speakers mean by their utterances, and they often include forms of empiricism, fallibilism, and verificationism as part of their philosophy.
In clinical hypnosis, pragmatics is essential for creating a trusting and respectful relationship with patients. By maintaining clear and transparent communication, a practitioner can better assess a patient’s needs, goals, and barriers to progress. This enables the therapist to provide realistic and achievable goals for the patient, increasing their chances of success.
While pragmatism has its advantages, it can also lead to short-term solutions, pressure to deliver results quickly, and a lack of empathy for the patient’s situation. These characteristics can lead to burnout, which is why it’s important for practitioners to maintain a healthy balance between pragmatism and empathy.
A pragmatic hypnotherapist is always searching for the most efficient, effective methods for their patients. They will assess a patient’s needs and goals and choose hypnosis techniques that are most likely to help them achieve those objectives. This allows them to minimize treatment time, reduce costs, and increase patient satisfaction. This also enables the therapist to make adjustments to their approach if necessary, and ensures that patients are receiving the best possible care.
