Pragmatic is the contextual meaning of language. In contrast to semantics, which deals with the vocabulary of a language and its literal meaning, pragmatics is about what you mean by the words you use in a particular context. For example, when you say ‘That painting looks nice on your wall’, the pragmatic meaning is that the painting works well in that location. Pragmatics also takes into account things like the cultural and situational constraints on what you might want to do with your language.
This approach is especially helpful in interpreting ambiguous messages. For instance, in the sentence ‘The painting was discovered by the tree’, if you understand that the word ‘discovered’ has several meanings in different languages and cultures (e.g., it can mean ‘discovered by a person’ or ‘discovered by a dog’), then you might be able to disambiguate the message to figure out what the speaker actually meant. This is why pragmatics is so important in understanding ambiguous communication, and one of the reasons why it is so useful in translation.
While the philosophy of pragmatism has its roots in American philosophers such as Charles Peirce and John Dewey, its influence is now worldwide. In the English-speaking world, pragmatism is most closely associated with the philosophy of communication. This is due to the fact that it is a natural outgrowth of the philosophical project of semiotics. Its focus is on analyzing the meaning of utterances in their specific contexts, and it has broad implications for human communication and cognition.
In other fields, pragmatism has influenced research on perception and rule-following. It has also led to a revival of interest in the pragmatic analysis of grammatical structures, and it offers insights into the nature of meaning and the way that language functions as a social medium. It has also helped to advance the study of human cognition and culture in general.
Methodologically, pragmatism has the potential to improve the way researchers examine organizational processes and practices, particularly in NGOs. It is a philosophy that recognizes the interconnectedness of experience, knowing and acting, and it encourages researchers to be flexible in their investigative techniques. Its emphasis on the importance of practical results enables researchers to surface complex themes and issues that might be hidden in formal documentation and rhetoric.
Being pragmatic means being able to set achievable goals for yourself, by considering your resources, limitations and current circumstances. It also means being willing to compromise in order to get the result you desire, rather than becoming bogged down with idealistic theories that may not be feasible in practice. Pragmatic people are also able to focus on what’s important and not let their emotions get in the way of making sound decisions. This helps them avoid getting bogged down by frustration and disappointment. In addition, being pragmatic allows you to make better choices that are more aligned with your long-term interests. This is a key aspect of healthy living.
