Pragmatic:
A pragmatic person is practical in that they make decisions based on the consequences that will occur. They see a goal as what will benefit them, their family and the community as a whole. However, this doesn’t mean they are amoral, as many pragmatic people are moral and ethical. For example, if a person kills their creditor to avoid paying debt, they are not being pragmatic because it causes a family to lose a loved one, the community to lose an income source and other unintended effects.
The term “pragmatic” first arose in the early 20th century as part of a split in semiotics (the study of signs and meaning) into syntax, semantics and pragmatics. The latter is concerned with how meaning is produced by language users, taking into account their context and responses to signs. It is a branch of philosophy and is closely linked to the philosophical tradition of pragmatism.
A major figure in the pragmatic movement was American philosopher John Dewey, who is considered a founder of educational pragmatism. He wrote a wide range of books, influencing American intellectual life for over a half-century.
Dewey is known for introducing concepts such as pragmatism and constructivism into the American philosophical scene. He was also a pioneer in developing theories of education and learning.
Other significant pragmatists include Charles S. Peirce, William James and John Dewey. All three developed theories of pragmatism that were widely adopted in America. Peirce, for instance, believed that all human action was governed by certain rules, which were largely derived from experience.
A modern version of pragmatism is called “neo-pragmatism,” and there are two main approaches to it. The first, associated with Rorty, flirts with relativism and suggests that truth is not as important as it has long been assumed to be. The second, influenced by Peirce and Dewey, embraces natural realism and leaves open the possibility that some statements may not correspond to a state of affairs at all, or do not correspond in exactly the same way (Putnam 2012c: 68-69).
Pragmatic individuals are great at problem-solving, and they are good at identifying flaws in strategies and plans. They can be helpful in a team environment because they can challenge blue-sky thinking and help the group focus on what’s realistic. However, they need to be careful that their realism doesn’t get in the way of brainstorming and that they don’t zap other people’s enthusiasm.
Pragmatic individuals are often excellent leaders because they are good at managing risk and valuing facts. They have a real-world view of the world, which can make them an effective leader in a changing economy or political climate. They are able to see what works in the short-term and can make changes when necessary. Nevertheless, they sometimes struggle to be imaginative and can become stuck in old ways of doing things. This is why they need to be reminded to look at the bigger picture from time to time.