Pragmatics is a subfield of philosophy, linguistics, and other human sciences that explores how context influences meaning. Linguists who specialize in this area of study are known as pragmaticians. In addition to studying the grammatical and phonetic aspects of an utterance, pragmatics also examines its context and its intended meaning. A pragmatist uses this understanding of context to create an overall framework in which to approach problems and develop solutions. By breaking complex issues down to their most basic elements, a pragmaticist is able to identify and resolve problems with greater ease and effectiveness.
Pragmatists work independently of societal biases and use the scientific method to reach their conclusions. Their research is meticulous, and they scrutinize the details of their logic in order to ensure that their solutions are sound. If they find any inconsistencies, they will discard the entire framework and begin anew. This methodical, analytical process allows them to reach a deep understanding of an issue and find the best solution possible. In contrast, non-pragmatists may rely on societal norms and social pressure to make decisions and follow a certain path. Pragmatists will never allow societal bias to influence their decisions or affect their logic.
The word “pragmatic” comes from the Greek root Progma, which means action or a practical matter. In philosophy, a pragmatic view is one that considers all possibilities and decides on the most reasonable course of action in any given situation. This type of philosophical thinking is particularly prevalent in areas like leadership studies, conflict resolution, and business ethics. Applied disciplines, such as public administration, political science, and leadership studies, also incorporate the tenets of pragmatism in their studies and practices.
William James is a well-known pragmatist who developed a philosophy that focuses on the reality of experience and the way people struggle with their environment. He believed that something is only true insofar as it works, and that a belief becomes a fact in the struggle to make it true. James’ pragmatism differs from logical positivism in that it does not deny the existence of transcendent realities, but rather leaves open the possibility that religions are based on such realities.
Various philosophers have taken different approaches to pragmatics, but there is one fundamental principle that all pragmatic theories share: the nature of a message’s meaning is determined by what it is in the world and how it interacts with that world. There is also a distinction between ‘near-side’ and ‘far side’ pragmatics. The near-side of pragmatics deals with the nature of a statement’s meaning, while far-side pragmatics deals with what happens beyond saying something, such as speech acts, the theory of conversational implicatures, and other similar concepts.
Some contemporary pragmatic theorists have criticized this distinction between near-side and far-side pragmatics. For instance, relevance theory has a strong focus on the comprehension processes involved in an utterance on the part of the hearer, which would seem to intrude on the traditional turf of semantics. However, it is important to remember that the differences between these two approaches are merely a matter of perspective.
