pragmatism

Also known as pragmatic philosophy

Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that views language and thought as tools for prediction, problem solving, and action, rather than describing, representing, or mirroring reality. Pragmatists contend that most philosophical topics—such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science—are best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes.

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Pragmatism is a philosophical approach that treats language and thought primarily as practical tools for prediction, problem-solving, and action rather than as ways to mirror reality. Pragmatists argue that philosophical questions about knowledge, meaning, and science are best understood by examining what actually works and succeeds in practice rather than pursuing abstract truth.

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Commons category: Pragmatism

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Article

31 sections

Contents

Origins
Core tenets
Anti-reification of concepts and theories
Naturalism and anti-Cartesianism
Reconciliation of anti-skepticism and fallibilism
Theory of truth and epistemology
In other fields
Philosophy of science
Logic
Metaphysics
Philosophy of mind
Ethics
Aesthetics
Philosophy of religion
Education
Neopragmatism
Legacy and contemporary relevance
Effects on social sciences
Effects on public administration
Effects on feminism
Criticisms
List of pragmatists
Classical (1850–1950)
Analytic, neo- and other (1950–present)
In the extended sense
See also
Notes
References
Sources
Further reading
External links

Pragmatism began in the United States in the 1870s. Its origins are often attributed to philosophers Charles Sanders Peirce, William James and John Dewey. In 1878, Peirce described it in his pragmatic maxim: "Consider the practical effects of the objects of your conception. Then, your conception of those effects is the whole of your conception of the object."