pragmatist

A pragmatist is a person who values practical consequences as the primary test of meaning, truth, and value in thought and inquiry. In philosophy, pragmatism is a school that evaluates beliefs by their usefulness in guiding action and solving problems.

The term and movement emerged in late 19th-century United States. Charles Sanders Peirce proposed the pragmatic maxim, a rule that to understand a concept one should consider the practical effects it could produce. William James popularized pragmatism, emphasizing lived experience. John Dewey extended it into education, democracy, and social reform.

Core ideas of pragmatism include treating truth as a process and as something that emerges from disagreement and inquiry rather than correspondence with an absolute reality. Beliefs are tools for action; they gain credibility through successful consequences. Knowledge is tested through doing, experimentation, and revision in light of feedback from the changing environment.

Key figures associated with pragmatism include Peirce, James, and Dewey; later theorists such as Hilary Putnam, Richard Rorty, and Susan Haack expanded or adapted pragmatist ideas.

In everyday language, a pragmatist is someone who prioritizes practicality over ideology, favors workable solutions, and remains flexible in the face of new evidence.

Critics argue that pragmatism can relativize truth to current stakes, overlook moral absolutes, or confuse usefulness with virtue. Proponents respond that pragmatic assessment remains grounded in coherent conduct and accountable results.

See also: Pragmatism, American philosophy, Instrumentalism.