Pragmatic is a philosophical school that focuses on real world conditions and circumstances. It is a practical and results oriented philosophy that considers what can realistically be achieved versus the best theoretical course of action. A person who acts pragmatically is referred to as a pragmatist.
Most children pick up pragmatics skills naturally through interacting socially with others. They may also practice by imitating what they hear from adults around them. However, for some children who are deaf or have impaired hearing, it can be challenging to develop pragmatics. It is important that your child has age-appropriate pragmatics to be able to participate in social interactions. Pragmatics includes being able to follow social conventions and understand what others are saying. It can also include being able to make eye contact and use gestures appropriately.
Pragmatism can be used to describe a specific way of thinking, and it is often associated with certain types of people. People who are pragmatic tend to be more concerned with practical considerations than idealistic theory. They are more interested in how to make something work and less worried about whether or not it is right. They are more likely to agree to disagree than a person who is emphatic.
One of the key ideas behind pragmatism was that an argument or hypothesis is not meaningful unless it can be shown to have some practical difference. This is known as the pragmatic maxim. Peirce and James both used this concept to help settle metaphysical disputes that might otherwise be interminable. They also promoted it as a method of clearing up misunderstandings and empty arguments.
In contemporary philosophy, pragmatism is often used to promote progressive social ideals and to bridge the gap between theory and lived experience. For example, Cornel West combines Christian and Marxist beliefs in his philosophy of race (West 1989), while Shannon Sullivan has led the field of ‘whiteness studies’ (Sullivan 2006). Other liberal philosophers who look to pragmatism for inspiration include feminists, disability advocates and scholars of ecology, medicine, legal philosophy and Native American philosophy.
Similarly, in clinical settings, the pragmatic school of thought emphasizes the importance of using evidence and practical outcomes when making treatment decisions. This allows for the most effective and efficient approach to treatment for each individual patient. When choosing a hypnosis technique for a patient, it is essential to assess the method’s success rate and determine if it will have a positive impact on the client’s symptoms.
Generally, children who have poor pragmatics will not be able to interact socially with peers and can have trouble learning language. If you notice a lack of pragmatic skills, speak with your child’s doctor or speech and language therapist for resources and strategies to help them improve. The earlier they can develop age-appropriate pragmatics, the better their speech and communication will be as an adult. If you are unsure if your child needs speech therapy, please contact our team of experienced speech-language pathologists for an evaluation and recommendations.
