Pragmatic definition:
The pragmatic approach to truth is a way of dealing with the concept of truth that takes into account the context of how we use language. It is not a full theory of truth, and it is not an endorsement of relativism. Instead, it suggests that truth is more of a light-weight concept that is used in a variety of ways that may or may not be connected with each other.
It is often associated with the philosophy of Charles Sanders Peirce and his friend and Harvard colleague, William James. These pragmatists saw the modern world in terms of an evolving reality that they were part of and sought to develop philosophical perspectives that could deal with that reality. They hoped to provide an alternative to both traditional empiricism and 19th century idealism.
One key feature of pragmatism is that it seeks to avoid the pitfall of metaphysical assumptions and philosophical dogma that carries with it a heavy baggage of meanings that can be misleading. Thus it is often regarded as a ‘third way’ between analytic and continental approaches to philosophy.
Rather, it is an attempt to make sense of how we think and act as human beings in a way that can accommodate our diverse beliefs, attitudes and experiences. It is also an effort to move beyond a strictly empirical focus on the natural world to see the world in more ‘holistic’ ways that take into account social, cultural and situational factors.
Pragmatic is also associated with the pragmatics of language, a scholarly discipline that examines the context-dependent meaning of words and sentences in the human domain. This discipline differs from semantics and syntax, which look at the actual objects or ideas to which a word refers, and grammatics which looks at relationships among signs.
This approach to language has a number of different sub-fields, including experimental, theoretical and clinical pragmatics, as well as intercultural, interlinguistic and neuropragmatics. The pragmatics of language has become an important area of study in the humanities, sciences and technology.
Moreover, a broad range of pragmatic ideas have been applied to areas such as education, law, business, the arts and health care. In general, pragmatism offers a flexible, adaptable approach to philosophical issues and problems, making it an interesting and worthwhile option for any student of philosophy. There are a number of broader movements in contemporary society that draw upon and build on the pragmatic perspective, including social activism, environmentalism, Native American philosophy, African-American philosophy and political liberation. In these fields, pragmatism is seen as a philosophy for the masses. It is also an attractive approach for those who are dissatisfied with the sterility of many traditional philosophical views. It provides a framework for exploring new and emerging realities, as well as for re-examining old ones. It is, in short, a pragmatic philosophy for the new millennium.
