a system of pragmatic philosophy holding that ideas are instruments, that they should guide our actions and can change the world, and that their value consists not in theirtruth but in their success
2.
an antirealist philosophy of science that holds that theories are not true or false but are merely tools for deriving predictions from observational data
instrumentalism in American English
(ˌɪnstrəˈməntəlˌɪzəm)
noun
Philosophy
the pragmatic doctrine that ideas are plans for action serving as instruments for adjustment to the environment and that their validity is tested by their effectiveness