Pragmatic is a word that means “to deal with practical matters in a practical way.” People who are pragmatic are down-to-earth and no-nonsense, they are logical and focused on what can be done. They don’t get bogged down in ideals or swayed by emotion and they can take things one step at a time. They know what they need to accomplish and they get it done. In a work environment, being pragmatic can mean that you are not afraid to tackle difficult projects and you are able to solve problems effectively.
Pragmatism has been influential in many areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of law and aesthetics. The pragmatist approach has also been widely adopted in the social sciences, for example, the field of communication studies. It has also been applied to other areas such as management and marketing.
The origins of pragmatism can be traced back to discussions held at the Metaphysical Club in Harvard in the 1870s. Charles Peirce and William James were both members of this group and both contributed to the development of pragmatism as a philosophical movement. James and Peirce both used the term pragmatic to describe a set of methods or principles for clarifying concepts, identifying empty disputes and achieving progress in inquiry (Pragmatism Wikipedia).
Several authors have defined the philosophy of pragmatism in different ways. Richard Rorty, in his essay, ‘Pragmatism, Empiricism and Naturalism’ defines it as a philosophy which combines the methods of empiricism with the commitments of naturalism to develop a new kind of metaphysics and a new way of understanding human life. Other authors, such as Richard Swinburne and John Dewey have emphasized the central role of experience in pragmatism.
While the philosophy of pragmatism is not well known, its influence has been widespread and profound. It has had a strong impact on contemporary American thought, for example in philosophy of education, sociology and social work. It has also been influential in other parts of the world.
The pragmatic philosophers have developed a range of theories and methodologies to explain their views. They have also influenced other philosophers, in particular, the pragmatist epistemologists such as Paul Feyerabend and Herbert H. Grice. The pragmatic philosophers have a unique perspective which is not found in other schools of thought and their ideas deserve to be better understood. To this end, this article explores the philosophical background of pragmatism, some of its key epistemological and metaphysical aspects and how they are being applied in contemporary societies. The article also offers some suggestions for further reading on the subject of pragmatism.