Pragmatics is the study of how language and other forms of communication are used in a variety of social settings. It is a field of study that is rooted in philosophy, sociology, and anthropology.

Pragmatist philosophers generally believe that knowing the world is inseparable from agency within it, which means that experience is a dynamic process of transacting with the world rather than a representation of it. Moreover, they believe that experience should be verified by empirically derived information.

In addition to its broad philosophical roots, pragmatism is also widely viewed as an influential approach to the social sciences and humanities. It has also attracted a number of renowned philosophers and scientists, including William James, Charles Peirce, and John Dewey.

Despite the wide variety of pragmatist views, there is no definitive creed for pragmatist philosophers. Nevertheless, it is possible to identify certain themes and theses that have loomed large in the pragmatist tradition.

One of the most significant themes in the pragmatist tradition is the relationship between meaning and context. It is often the case that a phrase may have several legitimate meanings depending on the context in which it is spoken. This is why it is important to understand the contextual subtleties of a statement to ensure that it is understood properly.