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pragmatism

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pragmatism

Pronunciation

Here is the IPA phonetic spelling for "pragmatism" broken down by syllable:

  • ˈpræɡməˌtɪzəm

Sounds by Syllable:

  • prag (ˈpræɡ)

    • ˈ : primary stress on the first syllable

    • præ : long "a" sound like in "day" followed by "e" sound like in "bet"

    • g : voiced velar plosive (similar to "g" in "go")

  • ma (mə)

    • mə : schwa sound, a neutral middle vowel sound

  • tism (tɪzəm)

    • t : voiceless alveolar plosive (like the "t" in "stop")

    • ɪ : short "i" sound like in "bit"

    • z : voiced alveolar fricative (like the "s" in "was")

    • əm : "m" sound followed by a schwa sound

Word Form Variations

Here are the word form variations of "pragmatism":

  • Singular: pragmatism (the core noun form)

  • Plural: pragmatisms (less common, but grammatically correct plural form)

  • Adjective: pragmatic (describes something as practical or concerned with results)

  • Noun: pragmatist (refers to someone who follows the philosophy of pragmatism)

There are some less common variations you might encounter, but these are not widely used in standard English:

  • Verb (less common): pragmatize/pragmatisation (the act of putting pragmatism into practice)

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Noun:

  • Pragmatism (prag·ma·tism):

    • A philosophical approach that emphasises the practical use of ideas and the value of actions that produce successful results.

    • Synonyms: practicality, instrumentalism, empiricism

    • Antonyms: idealism, dogmatism, absolutism

  • Pragmatist (prag·ma·tist):

    • A person who follows the philosophy of pragmatism, focusing on practical solutions and the consequences of actions.

    • Synonyms: realist, problem-solver, utilitarian

    • Antonyms: idealist, doctrinaire, purist

Adjective:

  • Pragmatic (prag·mat·ic):

    • Concerned with practical matters and the effectiveness of actions over theoretical ideals.

    • Synonyms: practical, down-to-earth, sensible, results-oriented

    • Antonyms: idealistic, impractical, theoretical, utopian

Verb (less common):

  • Pragmatize (prag·ma·tize) / Pragmatization (prag·ma·ti·za·tion):

    • The act of putting pragmatism into practice; applying a practical approach to a situation.

    • Synonyms (verb): implement practically, prioritise practicality

    • Synonyms (noun): practical application, emphasis on usefulness

    • Antonyms (verb/noun): theorise, idealise, prioritise abstract concepts

Examples of Use

1. Philosophy & Books:

  • William James, a prominent pragmatist philosopher, wrote in his book Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking (1907): "The ultimate test for us of any theory is that it should answer all the questions that we ask with regard to it" (p. 46). This quote exemplifies the core principle of pragmatism, focusing on a theory's practical usefulness.

2. Politics & Newspapers:

  • A news headline might read: "President Seeks Pragmatic Solution to Budget Crisis" (The New York Times, hypothetical). This usage highlights the President's attempt to find a practical compromise that works for different parties involved.

3. Business & Online Publications:

  • A business blog post titled "The Pragmatic Guide to Startup Success" (Forbes, hypothetical) emphasises the importance of focusing on practical steps and strategies for achieving success in a business venture.

4. Entertainment & Movies:

  • In the movie The Martian (2015), the main character, stranded on Mars, uses a pragmatic approach to survival. He improvises tools and solutions using limited resources, showcasing the value of practicality in challenging situations.

5. General Public Discourse:

  • During a debate about climate change, someone might argue for a "pragmatic approach" that balances environmental protection with economic concerns. This emphasises finding practical solutions that address all aspects of the issue.

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Pragmatism

Here are ten famous quotes using the word "pragmatism" (phrasing may vary slightly):

  1. "The truth of an idea is tested by the practical consequences of its working out." - John Dewey (American philosopher)

  2. "The only difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no problem." - Niels Bohr (Danish physicist) [Not a direct quote about pragmatism, but uses a concept pragmatists would agree with]

  3. "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." - George Bernard Shaw (Irish playwright) [Similar to pragmatism, though highlights the role of challenging the status quo]

  4. "The meaning of words is fixed by the consequences of their use." - C.S. Peirce (American philosopher, founder of pragmatism)

  5. "Truth happens to an idea. It becomes true, is made true by events." - William James (American philosopher)

  6. "The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook." - William James (American philosopher)

  7. "Facts do not cease to be facts because they are ignored." - Aldous Huxley (English writer) [Not directly about pragmatism, but emphasises the importance of considering reality]

  8. "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates (Greek philosopher) [Similar to pragmatism's focus on experience and rejecting absolutes]

  9. "The map is not the territory." - Alfred Korzybski (Polish-American engineer and philosopher) [Not directly about pragmatism, but emphasises the importance of dealing with reality, not just ideas]

  10. "You see, idealism detached from action is just a dream. But idealism allied with pragmatism, with rolling up your sleeves and making the world bend a bit, is very exciting. It's very real. It's very strong." - Aruna Roy (Indian activist)

Etymology

The word "pragmatism" comes from a long journey that started in ancient Greece! Back then, they had a word, "pragma," which meant "deed" or "action." It basically referred to getting things done.

Over time, this word evolved into "pragmaticos" which meant "practical" – like someone who focuses on what works rather than just theories. Finally, in the 1800s, English borrowed this idea and created the word "pragmatism."

The first use of "pragmatism" is a little fuzzy. Some believe it appeared around 1825 to describe a practical way of dealing with things. But the real champion for the word was a philosopher named Charles Sanders Peirce in the 1870s. He, along with William James, helped develop the philosophy of pragmatism, which is all about focusing on practical results and what works best.

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Pragmatism

  • While "pragmatism" itself isn't super common in everyday idioms or phrases, here are some expressions that capture the essence of this philosophy:

    • Get things done: This emphasises the action-oriented nature of pragmatism, focusing on results.

    • Think outside the box: This encourages creative solutions that might not be traditional, but could be effective.

    • Cross that bridge when we come to it: This highlights dealing with problems as they arise, rather than getting hung up on theoretical scenarios.

    • Let's call a spade a spade: This emphasises honesty and directness in addressing situations, a quality valued by pragmatists.

    • Work smarter, not harder: This embodies the pragmatic approach of finding efficient and effective ways to achieve goals.

    • Don't sweat the small stuff: This reflects the pragmatic focus on prioritising what truly matters and avoiding getting bogged down in minor details.

    • Take it one step at a time: This emphasises the pragmatic approach of breaking down challenges into manageable steps.

Posts Related to Pragmatism

Source Information

Definition of pragmatism from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.