Pragmatic is an adjective that’s often used to describe people who are practical and down-to-earth. It can also refer to someone who knows how to get the job done and doesn’t waste time on unnecessary details or unimportant responsibilities. People who are pragmatic tend to focus on results and consequences and avoid getting caught up in hypotheticals or “what might have been” if there was a different course of action. Pragmatism is often confused with dogmatic, but it’s important to understand the difference between these two concepts before applying either word to people or situations. Dogmatic can be interpreted as adherence to a set of rules, while pragmatic means “having the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.”
The philosophy of pragmatics is all about understanding how people use language in specific contexts and how it affects their meaning. It’s different from other areas of linguistic study like semantics, syntax, and semiotics. These other disciplines focus on the rules that govern the literal linguistic meaning of words and phrases, how they’re combined, and their meaning in the physical or social world. Pragmatics takes into account those factors, but it’s more concerned with the broader implications of words than the rules themselves.
To understand the concept of pragmatics, consider a simple example: If a person asks you to pass them salt, they might mean that they need it to cook or that they’re thirsty. The pragmatic meaning of the question is different from the literal meaning of the phrase, because it takes into consideration other aspects of the situation, like whether or not you already have salt in your kitchen and if you’re physically capable of passing it.
Pragmatists seek to break away from the Cartesian philosophy that has dominated philosophical thinking for centuries. They believe that beliefs have to be rooted in reality, and that we must learn from experience to understand what truths are true and what isn’t. Peirce, James, Dewey, and other pragmatists rejected the idea that ideas are fixed and inert, and believed that there’s no way to understand truth other than through experience.
When people are pragmatic, they can remain calm and make clear decisions in a crisis. They’re able to keep their emotions in check and stick to the facts of the situation rather than get distracted by big-picture ideals or feelings of panic. They can also think outside the box and come up with unique solutions to difficult problems. Pragmatics is the perfect philosophy to guide those who want to succeed in a competitive business environment and who are interested in practical, real-world solutions. The Pragmatic Personality Test is a great tool to help determine your pragmatic personality. Take the test now! You can access it on the Internet or with a professional assessment provider. The results will give you insight into your strengths and weaknesses, and provide guidance for how to improve your career performance. You can even have your own personalized report emailed to you for free!
