Pragmatic is a word that describes a practical, sensible point of view. The term is often contrasted with idealistic and philosophical views. Pragmatic is a popular word in the fields of communication, psychology, and philosophy. In communication, pragmatics refers to the study of how language is used in a given context. The field of pragmatics is interdisciplinary and incorporates ideas, theories, and methods from many disciplines including sociology, anthropology, and philosophy.
The philosophy of pragmatism has become a major alternative to analytic and continental philosophical traditions. Its key concepts originated in discussions at a so-called Metaphysical Club that met at Harvard around 1870. Peirce and James were among the participants in these discussions, and pragmatism became associated with them. Peirce formulated the key elements of the philosophy in his writings from the 1860s to 1880s and James developed and popularized these ideas through his lectures in 1898. Peirce’s philosophic interlocutor Josiah Royce, although originally allied with pure idealism, also became a leading proponent of pragmatism.
In the philosophical sense, pragmatism is an approach to knowledge and truth that stresses the importance of experience in making judgments and decisions. The focus on the real world is intended to free the mind from a priori assumptions about what truth is and to emphasize that reality provides the only source of truth. The philosophy of pragmatism is a form of empiricism.
As a term, pragmatic is most frequently applied to people or actions. The phrase pragmatic person or pragmatic attitude is commonly used to describe someone who focuses on results and consequences rather than philosophical notions of what could be or should be. In addition, the phrase pragmatic is sometimes used to refer to a specific type of reasoning in which a decision is made based on what will have the greatest effect or benefit.
A person who is described as pragmatic in a professional context may be described as one who is good at solving problems and meeting deadlines. This pragmatic mindset is an important part of success in many professions and may be especially important in education. For example, a teacher who is pragmatic about the use of time in a classroom can maximize instructional time by using class time to teach students how to effectively plan and manage their time and can implement tools that help them to do so.
Pragmatics also involves understanding what isn’t said. For example, if someone asks, “How are you?” it is usually not an invitation for a detailed account of their own personal wellbeing. Rather, this exchange is meant to establish rapport and social connection. Similarly, silence can communicate a great deal depending on the culture and context of the situation. For instance, a long pause during a meeting may signal disagreement, awkwardness, surprise, or the need for further consideration (Levinson, 2000). The philosophy of pragmatism has influenced many fields, such as social work, management studies, political science, and philosophy. It has also inspired a variety of scholarly and social movements, such as dialogic ethics.