Pragmatic is a way of thinking that values practical results. People who are pragmatic take a more realist approach to life and believe that truth is subjective and based on the results of practical actions rather than absolutes like “good” or “bad.” They can sometimes be accused of being cold and heartless. People with a pragmatic philosophy are usually more successful in their lives than those who believe in idealistic concepts because they know that the best plan can be ruined by an unexpected event, so they aren’t afraid to adjust their plans accordingly.
This is a good philosophical concept to teach kids because it gives them a more flexible and realistic view of the world around them. Kids who are pragmatic can often find solutions to problems by focusing on the end result and seeing how it works, instead of getting bogged down with the theory behind why something is the way it is. They also tend to have a more natural ability to compromise with others, since they understand that everyone has different ideas about how things should be done.
The founder of pragmatism was William James, who believed that anything is true only in so far as it produces the desired results, but it isn’t necessarily the case on an ontological level. For example, he claimed that prayers are heard, but that doesn’t mean that they necessarily bring about the things you pray for. He was not antithetical to religion, though, and he accepted that there may be transcendent realities.
Another pragmatist was John Dewey, who wrote about the importance of experience and emphasized that the process of learning is more important than knowing facts. He also taught that human knowledge is fallible, and that personal truth or conviction depends on the expected results of practical action. He was a proponent of the “Chicago school” of philosophers, which included Peirce, Mead, and Dewey.
A pragmatic person isn’t afraid to try new things, because they’re more interested in the practical outcomes than a lofty idealism. They’re often very shrewd and make good business partners because they can see the big picture without getting bogged down in details or worrying about how to deal with an unexpected problem. They can also quickly make decisions that will save them time and money in the long run.
Pragmatic people aren’t ruled by their emotions and will work with what is at hand, even if it is unpleasant or boring. They can also be more realistic about their own abilities, so they’ll take a chance on something that might not work out in the end and then learn from the experience.
Being a pragmatic person can be both positive and negative, depending on the situation. For example, if you’re dealing with an unscrupulous property agent or a dishonest salesperson, it’s better to be pragmatic and deal with the issue quickly than spend hours debating their integrity. However, a pragmatist can sometimes be too practical to the point of being cold and unfeeling, which can lead to a lack of close friendships and a lack of trust in strangers.
