Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that emphasizes the practical consequences of accepting an idea or proposition. It views language and thought as tools for prediction, problem-solving, and action, rather than describing, representing, or mirroring reality. Pragmatism originated in the United States around 1870 and presents a growing third alternative to both analytic and ‘Continental’ philosophical traditions worldwide. The first generation of pragmatists was initiated by Charles Sanders Peirce and William James, who defined and defended the view and further developed and popularized it.
Some key features of pragmatism include:
- Truth: Pragmatists claim that an ideology or proposition is true if it works satisfactorily, and unpractical ideas are to be rejected.
- Epistemology: Pragmatism understands knowing the world as inseparable from agency within it. Pragmatists have developed an original a posteriori epistemology that emphasizes the connection between thought and action.
- Methodology: Pragmatism is a broad philosophical attitude toward the formation of concepts, hypotheses, and theories and their justification. It emphasizes the priority of actual experience over fixed principles and a priori reasoning in critical investigation.
Pragmatism has influenced non-philosophers in fields such as law, education, politics, sociology, psychology, and literary criticism. It has also been incorporated into applied fields like public administration, political science, leadership studies, international relations, conflict resolution, and research methodology.
