Pragmatic is a word that describes someone who thinks in terms of practical, real-world outcomes. They don’t get stuck on big-picture ideals and emotions, but rather take steps that will lead to the best possible outcome. Someone who is pragmatic in their approach to life would have extra keys made (which they leave with family or friends) or leave an hour earlier when they are headed to the airport. They know that traffic can be unpredictable, and they are ready for anything.
Pragmatism is a philosophy that originated in the mid-19th century and was most popularly developed by the American philosopher William James. It is a philosophical system that seeks to reconcile logical and practical thinking with the notion of truth as it is realized in action. In his book, The Meaning of Truth, James sought to address the problems with the epistemological foundations that are found in the philosophies of his day and offered the prospect of a new form of enlightenment that is founded on pragmatically grounded experience and science.
One of the primary tenets of pragmatism is that truth is not a property of ideas but rather a process that results from the way these ideas are used and the ways in which they are tested. This is in direct opposition to the idea of a fixed, objective reality. For a belief to be considered true, it must be a useful aid in inquiry and in actions. James also argued that only by testing, or “strugling,” with the beliefs we hold can we truly know what they mean and how useful they are in our lives.
Another major facet of pragmatism is the concept of “meaning in context.” The meaning of a word or phrase depends on its context and the other words or phrases that surround it. This is in contrast to the idea of a strict, literal definition. For example, the word “by” can have two interpretations. In one, a stolen painting was found by a tree. In the other, a stolen painting was discovered by humans.
There are a number of other key aspects to the philosophy of pragmatism. For instance, many pragmatists believe in forms of empiricism, fallibilism, and verificationism. Some pragmatists also embrace epistemological relativism, although this is a controversial aspect of the philosophy and other pragmatists are vehemently opposed to it.
Lastly, pragmatists recognize that there is no one right answer to any question. This allows them to view questions and issues with an open mind, instead of taking a rigid, predetermined position on them. For this reason, pragmatists are often able to find more workable solutions than others. They aren’t afraid to take risks and are willing to put in the time needed to make progress. This is why pragmatism is sometimes called the “methodology of uncertainty.” By being flexible and learning from each failure, pragmatists can find success. This is a trait that is invaluable in the business world.