Pragmatism
Philosophical tradition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Pragmatism?
Summarize this article for a 10 years old
Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that considers words and thought as tools and instruments for prediction, problem solving, and action, and rejects the idea that the function of thought is to describe, represent, or mirror reality. Pragmatists contend that most philosophical topics—such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science—are all best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes.
Part of a series on |
Epistemology |
---|
Core concepts |
Distinctions |
Schools of thought |
Topics and views |
Specialized domains of inquiry |
Notable epistemologists |
Related fields |
Part of a series on |
Philosophy |
---|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Part of a series on |
Research |
---|
Research strategy |
Philosophy portal |
Pragmatism began in the United States in the 1870s. Its origins are often attributed to the philosophers Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey. In 1878, Peirce described it in his pragmatic maxim: "Consider the practical effects of the objects of your conception. Then, your conception of those effects is the whole of your conception of the object."[1]