action or policy dictated by consideration of the immediate practical consequences rather than by theory or dogma
2. philosophy
a.
the doctrine that the content of a concept consists only in its practical applicability
b.
the doctrine that truth consists not in correspondence with the facts but in successful coherence with experience
See also instrumentalism
Derived forms
pragmatist (ˈpragmatist)
noun, adjective
pragmatistic (ˌpragmaˈtistic)
adjective
pragmaticism in American English
(præɡˈmætəˌsɪzəm)
noun
the pragmatist philosophy of C. S. Peirce, chiefly a theory of meaning: so called by him to distinguish it from the pragmatism of William James
Word origin
[1905; pragmatic + -ism]-ism is a suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it was used to form action nounsfrom verbs (baptism). On this model, -ism is used as a productive suffix in the formation of nouns denoting action or practice,state or condition, principles, doctrines, a usage or characteristic, devotion oradherence, etc. (criticism; barbarism; Darwinism; despotism; plagiarism; realism; witticism; intellectualism)