Pragmatic is a philosophical movement that includes those who claim that an ideology or proposition is true if it works satisfactorily, that the meaning of a proposition is to be found in its practical consequences, and that unpractical ideas are to be rejected. Pragmatism originated in the United States during the latter quarter of the nineteenth century. It has significantly influenced non-philosophers—notably in the fields of law, education, politics, sociology, psychology, and literary criticism—though this article deals only with its origins as a philosophy.
A pragmatic approach is a common sense solution to problems that might otherwise be intractable. Taking a pragmatic approach to dealing with conflict can help prevent misunderstandings that might lead to unnecessary violence. In business, a pragmatic approach to dealing with challenges is often more effective than an idealistic one. Whether it’s deciding how much to charge for a service, avoiding overdoing it with gifts, or settling a lawsuit, being pragmatic can save time and money.
The pragmatic tradition in philosophy can be traced back to Peirce, James, and Dewey, who all developed a philosophy that was grounded in an emphasis on utilitarianism. Pragmatists have developed various ways of interpreting utilitarianism, but all share a view that truth is defined as what works, and that the best way to test a hypothesis is to see how it works in a real world context.
While some philosophers have criticized this theory of truth, others have embraced it. The pragmatists were among the first to develop a systematic theory of epistemic inquiry, and they have had a lasting influence on both the philosophy of science and epistemology.
A central idea in the pragmatic tradition is that knowledge is not a collection of facts or ideas, but rather a process of constructing theories and descriptions based on experience. This is a radical departure from the foundational picture of reality that was held by empiricists, who believed that observation was the only source of verifiable knowledge. Pragmatists like Sellars, Rorty, Davidson, Putnam, and Goodman argued that if experience is theory-laden, then it cannot serve as some raw, unsullied “Given” against which to compare and evaluate concepts and theories.
Pragmatics is an important field of study for English language learners, as it emphasizes the importance of contextual considerations in communication. Teaching based on pragmatics findings ensures that students not only know the language but use it effectively. For example, learning how to order food, apologize, or make requests in different situations helps students learn to communicate naturally and appropriately. Pragmatics also helps students understand the nuances of different cultures, such as politeness rules (e.g., interrupting may be rude in some cultures).
Pragmatics is an essential component of language teaching. Even advanced grammar and vocabulary learners can struggle with understanding how to communicate in different social contexts, so it’s vital that teachers emphasize pragmatics in their instruction. Providing students with opportunities to practice speaking in the classroom, such as role playing conversations, and modeling social interactions (e.g., conversational turn taking, perspective taking, and sarcasm) is another way to help them become proficient in the language.