A pragmatic person is someone who is down-to-earth and logical. They tend to look at a problem and find solutions that are realistic and effective in the short term. This is often contrasted with an idealistic person, who focuses on big-picture ideas and emotions in their decision-making. People who are pragmatic are more concerned with results and outcomes than with how a situation should be, so they’re more likely to compromise or change course when necessary.
The word pragmatic comes from the Latin pragma, meaning “to do; to act.” It is a philosophical concept based on a philosophy of experience that was popularized by American philosopher William James and later developed by American psychologist Charles W. Morris in the 1930s. Pragmatism has several different interpretations and is an important part of contemporary philosophy.
One of the most popular definitions of pragmatic is that it is a type of philosophy that combines both realism and idealism. The pragmatic philosopher attempts to find a solution that works in the real world and also takes into consideration societal values and principles. A common example of this is a politician who would make decisions that best fit his or her constituents, while still attempting to follow ethical and moral standards.
Another common use of the word pragmatic is when describing the practical side of language. In linguistics, the pragmatic approach looks at the use of language in context. This includes things like irony, idioms, and implied meaning. It’s what allows us to politely hedge a request, cleverly read between the lines, and navigate ambiguity in conversation.
A pragmatist is often seen as an epistemological relativist, but it’s important to note that not all pragmatists support this view. It’s not uncommon for pragmatists to hold views such as utilitarianism, fallibilism, or a Quinean naturalist metaphilosophy. They may also hold that truth is determined by context and a combination of factors, including utility, verifiability, and widespread acceptance.
Pragmatics is sometimes confused with semantics, which focuses on the literal meaning of words and sentences, and syntax, which examines relationships between signs or symbols. But pragmatics is much more than that.
Practicing pragmatic skills is important because most individuals need to communicate with others throughout the day. This includes their parents, doctors, and co-workers. People with impaired pragmatic language skills may struggle to express their wants and needs, explain their pains and weaknesses, or even communicate their feelings with others.
For this reason, pragmatic language skills are taught in speech-language pathology. Typically, children with pragmatic speech-language impairments need to be able to communicate their interests, such as superheroes, with other kids. For adults, pragmatic skills are used when interacting with co-workers, bosses, and friends. They need to be able to discuss the weather, tell stories, and negotiate agreements.
