Pragmatic is a word that describes someone who approaches things sensibly, realistically, and with a focus on what works. It’s the opposite of idealistic, and it’s a good thing to be pragmatic when you’re facing real-world challenges.
It’s a good idea to be pragmatic about your health and diet, too, or you may not live long enough to see the fruits of your labor. It’s also the name of a school of philosophy that advocates for practical applications of ideas, rather than an idealistic and theoretical approach.
The Pragmatic school of philosophy is based on the work of philosophers like John Dewey and William James, as well as American philosophers like Charles Sanders Peirce and Stephen Toulmin. Its tenets focus on the connection between thought and action, and fields like public administration, political science, leadership studies, international relations, conflict resolution, and research methodology have incorporated its principles.
Philosophers who embrace pragmatism are often critical of idealism and metaphysics, as well as moral and philosophical doctrines that relegate change to a lower level than the world of practicality. They believe that the universe is a “plastic” entity, and that we should adapt to it and control it, rather than attempt to understand it at a metaphysical level. They also emphasize the practical function of knowledge, as a tool that allows us to manage and shape reality.
For example, let’s say you have a child who loves superheroes. A pragmatic parent will teach the child about the dangers of touching electrical outlets and will tell them to use a plastic cover on the outlet because there are invisible gremlins living in them, who bite if you touch them. It’s not a perfect solution, but it gets the job done.
People who are pragmatic are practical and results oriented, and they’re willing to compromise for the sake of a desired outcome. They can be down-to-earth and realistic, but they’re also willing to dream a little, even if that means the result isn’t necessarily as idealistic as they would prefer. They’re also able to accept that they can’t have everything, and that’s something we all need to learn at some point in our lives.
The word pragmatic derives from Latin praegere, which means to “do good.” This is the spirit of pragmatism—that it’s more important to be successful in the world around you than to try and shape the universe according to your own philosophies. Taking a pragmatic approach to problems is usually more successful than an idealistic one, and it’s certainly more logical. If you’re a pragmatic person, you can make smart and effective decisions for yourself and others. What’s more, you can be happy knowing that you’re dealing with the reality of the situation instead of trying to change the world for your own reasons. So if you want to avoid becoming an ivory tower thinker, consider applying the pragmatic mindset to your day-to-day life, too! It may be the key to a fulfilling, successful life.