Pragmatic is a term applied to a philosophy or solution that takes a realistic approach to problems. Often contrasted with idealistic, the pragmatic approach is more concerned with what works than what should be. A person who is pragmatic is logical and sensible. They are willing to compromise to get the best outcome possible. For example, they would likely be willing to let their four-year old daughter have a unicorn for her birthday, but they would not want to give up their belief that unicorns are real just to appease her.

The word pragmatism comes from the Greek verb (“to do”). Pragmatic philosophers were those who were more interested in practical applications of ideas than with abstract notions. This philosophy is also referred to as American pragmatism, as many of its founders were Americans. Today, there are several different philosophical approaches to pragmatism, and the word is sometimes used in a more general sense to describe people who take a results-oriented approach to life.

One of the most common definitions of pragmatism is that it is a philosophy that opposes dogmatic positions and accepts uncertainty in knowledge. This is a direct contrast to the classical academic philosophy that has been known as skepticism. In this way, pragmatism is related to radical empiricism, which was developed by John Dewey and Richard Rorty.

Philosophers who are pragmatic usually work in a variety of fields, including biology, medicine, ethics, and business. For example, bioethicists have been using a pragmatic approach to discuss genetic engineering. In addition, a pragmatic philosopher may be able to assist in the development of a corporate strategy that will increase profits.

The field of linguistics is often referred to as pragmatics, although the term may also be applied to philosophical theories of language and communication. This field of study looks at how context affects the meaning of words and phrases, as well as how language is utilized in social interactions. Linguists who specialize in pragmatics are known as pragmaticians.

There are various forms of pragmatics, ranging from the traditional to the more modern. The traditional form of pragmatics is the one associated with logical pragmatics, which attempts to connect the classical linguistic concepts of semantics (dealing with propositional content) and syntax (dealing with illocutionary forces). Modern philosophical pragmatism has branched out into more specialized areas. For instance, critical pragmatism, as outlined by Charles Morris, seeks to integrate pragmatism with epistemology.

Other forms of pragmatism include a utilitarian version, which focuses on the consequences of an action for individuals and society. A neopragmatist version of pragmatism, as developed by Richard Rorty, is sometimes called instrumentalism. This version of pragmatism has become more accepted in the field of analytic philosophy, but it is still controversial.