Pragmatic is a word that refers to a person’s ability to make practical decisions and remain calm in stressful situations. Someone who is pragmatic can set aside big-picture ideals and emotions to focus on real-world circumstances when making choices, and they are willing to adapt their plans if necessary. This pragmatic nature can help them achieve their goals, especially in their professional lives where they often have to deal with changing circumstances. However, it is important to note that pragmatism is not always a positive trait; when taken to extremes, a pragmatic person can be seen as cold and detached.
A child who has pragmatic communication skills can express themselves verbally to others and use descriptive language to convey what they mean. They can also understand social norms and utilize humor in a thoughtful manner to build relationships with others. A child who shows pragmatic language skills is likely very interested in their environment and enjoys interacting with people in their life.
The word pragmatic is related to the root praxis, which means “to act.” As such, someone who is pragmatic is able to take action and get things done in a timely fashion. This can be a valuable skill in a professional setting, as it can help you complete projects on time and under budget. In addition, pragmatic individuals can be effective communicators because they are able to remain calm in stressful situations and think clearly in order to make rational decisions.
As a philosophical philosophy, pragmatism emerged in the early 1870s during discussions at Harvard’s Metaphysical Club. The group included proto-pragmatists Chauncey Wright, Oliver Wendell Holmes, future Supreme Court Justice William James and Charles Sanders Peirce. James and Peirce were the first self-conscious pragmatists, and their ideas helped form the foundation of pragmatic thought.
Some people are naturally pragmatic in the way they handle their day-to-day affairs, while others learn how to be more pragmatic. Learning to be more pragmatic is possible for everyone, but it may take some time to develop a habit of this type of thinking. It can be helpful to start by practicing on less important decisions so you can build confidence and a routine. Eventually, you’ll be able to apply this approach to larger decisions as well.
The study of pragmatics is a broad field that encompasses the ways in which we communicate with one another, and how we interpret and respond to each other’s communication. The science of pragmatics is a subset of the more general field of semantics, which examines the actual objects or ideas to which a particular word refers, and syntax, which looks at relationships among signs or symbols.
When a politician is described as pragmatic, it usually refers to their ability to stay grounded and make decisions that are reasonable and realistic given the situation. In the political arena, many voters look for a pragmatic candidate who can keep their head in a crisis instead of getting caught up in big-picture ideals and heightened emotions.
