Pragmatic is a philosophical movement that views things, ideas, and concepts as tools for prediction, problem solving, and action rather than as mirrors of reality. Pragmatists argue that most of the philosophical questions involving truth, knowledge, language, and meaning are best viewed in terms of their practical uses and consequences. This pragmatist perspective is particularly attractive to those who wish to move beyond the sterile metaphysical debates that occupy most of philosophy and concentrate on developing useful ideas, solutions, and practical applications. As a result, pragmatic philosophers often focus on issues such as feminism (Seigfried 1996), ecology (Alexander 2013), Native American philosophy (Pratt 2002), and Latin American philosophy (Pappas 1998).
What is pragmatic?
In short, pragmatics is the pragmatic study of language and communication. It seeks to go beyond the literal meaning of words and sentences to consider the context, social and cultural significance, and implied meaning of a statement. It also examines how we use our words to convey the desired message. Without pragmatics, we would not be able to communicate and interact with each other effectively.
The pragmatists William James and John Dewey were instrumental in reforming classic empiricism or positivism with their pragmatic principle that something is true only insofar as it works. They were also among the first to embrace the idea that a belief is a disposition to believe a proposition, and therefore it can only be proved true by its success in helping one survive or thrive in an environment in which survival and/or the achievement of goals are paramount. This pragmatism is opposed to theological or metaphysical notions of truth such as those advocated by the German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and the French philosopher Jean-Baptiste Ducasse, and is therefore at odds with traditional religious philosophy.
While the original pragmatists were largely Americans, their philosophy has had considerable influence across the globe. It is especially well-established in Europe, where many leading analytic philosophers such as Ludwig Wittgenstein, W.V.O. Quine, Rudolf Carnap, and Karl Popper were influenced by its insights.
The pragmatists’ approach to reality-based thinking and practical application of knowledge have given rise to liberatory philosophical projects such as feminism, environmental ethics, and African-American philosophy. It also provides a framework for the analysis of complex problems such as race, gender, and culture. In addition, a wide range of issues in the arts and sciences have been illuminated by pragmatist approaches. For example, the philosophy of art (Peirce and Davidson), philosophy of mathematics, and philosophy of language have all been enriched by pragmatist thought. The concept of pragmatism is also the basis for a theory of scientific method. In the philosophy of education, pragmatism has also influenced John Dewey and George Herbert Mead. It has also been influential in the philosophy of religion and in the development of sociology and anthropology.
