What is pragmatism and who is a pragmatist (pragmatic person)

Despite the popularity and prevalence of this word, not everyone correctly understands who a pragmatist is. This is often used to call acquaintances, politicians or businessmen. Some call themselves a pragmatist to emphasize their prudence or impartiality. But sometimes this word also sounds like a reproach. For example, they talk about excessive pragmatism to emphasize that a person pursues exclusively selfish interests, forgetting about morality, morality and other universal values. Today we will try to eliminate this ambiguity by analyzing in detail what the word “pragmatist” means, what are the pros and cons of pragmatism and how to develop this quality in yourself.

Who is a pragmatist?

A pragmatist is a person who is guided in his actions by practical considerations, but does not attach much importance to other values ​​(such as beauty, justice, morality, ethics, etc.). From a philosophical point of view, a pragmatist is a supporter of pragmatism - the doctrine of practical value as the key criterion of significance and truth.

The words “pragmatism” and “pragmatist” are derived from the ancient Greek word “πράγμα” (pragma), which translates as “action”. That is, everything that is effective and produces some significant effect can be called pragmatic. Adherents of philosophical pragmatism propose not to waste time solving theoretical problems , but to engage exclusively in those matters that will bring measurable material benefits.

We will consider pragmatism as an everyday phenomenon, taking philosophical issues out of the equation. In everyday life, a pragmatist is a person whose all actions are aimed at obtaining practical results. He will not go with you to the roof to admire the night sky, but will go to bed in order to wake up early, because pragmatists value their time very much and know how to plan it competently and responsibly. They always know what result they expect to get by performing certain actions.

When choosing goals and objectives, a pragmatist is guided by practical considerations. His entrepreneurial spirit is not always liked by others, so he is often treated with condemnation. To be fair, it should be noted that such condemnation usually comes from people who prefer to complain about life and its injustice rather than solve problems in a timely manner. Often they simply envy a pragmatist who has better control over his own life and independently forms his own principles, without the need for imposed values.

What is pragmatism?

It is often believed that a pragmatist is a self-interested person, ready to go ahead and only forward to the intended task. But this is not entirely true.

If this trait is present in the character of a certain person, then she tends to find benefit for herself personally from everything that relates to her environment. True pragmatism lies in the ability to achieve clear and specific goals and find the right ways to implement them in the future.

Pragmatism helps a person to completely open up and objectively focus on his own priorities and needs, find the most important ones and implement them step by step.

People do not always understand a pragmatist and treat him unfriendly and negatively. Although he has remarkable willpower, he knows how to put everything in order and correctly navigate certain situations.

Signs of a pragmatist

In the behavior of a pragmatist, characteristic features are clearly visible that evoke conflicting feelings among others. Some admire their responsibility, some envy their organization, and some condemn their maximalism, practicality and indifference to generally accepted values. You can recognize a pragmatist in yourself or someone you know by the presence of the following characteristics:

1. Independence
   . A pragmatic attitude towards life allows a person to understand the value of time at an early age. He prefers to do useful things, avoiding everything that he considers unnecessary. Thanks to this, he knows how to say “No!”, independently deciding what he will do and what he will not do.
2. Immune to influence
   . A pragmatist often weighs the moral, aesthetic and other values ​​offered to him by society and those around him. This habit already at an early age leads to the fact that he does not allow himself to be manipulated even by close people. In addition, he does not believe in all kinds of folk signs, firmly knowing that everything depends only on him.
3. Own life guidelines
   . A pragmatist has no time to dream and think about the eternal. He determines all his goals and values ​​for himself independently.
4. Thoughtfulness of actions
   . A person with a pragmatic mindset does not like to waste time on random things. Almost every action he takes is actually a step towards achieving a very specific goal that he has set for himself.
5. Ability to value time
   . A pragmatist is a calculating person who understands perfectly well that time is an irreplaceable resource. And since he always strives to optimize his actions, he manages this resource very competently. He always pays attention to planning his day, knowing that every minute spent will bear fruit. In addition to his time, he knows how to value other people's.
6. Developed logical and critical thinking
   . A pragmatist notices at an early age that his value system diverges from the generally accepted one. Thanks to this, he learns to critically comprehend incoming information, rejecting unreliable facts and accepting logical and verifiable ones.
7. The ability to benefit from any circumstances
   . He perceives any troubles as a valuable experience, so he does not allow himself to become limp, but begins to act more actively in order to quickly achieve his goal.

A pragmatist is almost always a skeptic, because he knows that every person is constantly in a stream of dubious information that needs to be filtered. Because of this, he has poor relationships with people who lack the ability to think critically. However, this is exactly the case when the problem is not with him, but with those who perceive his self-sufficiency too painfully.

Public opinion

It is not uncommon to hear negative comments about successful people.
The following traits of pragmatists cause indignation:

1. Cynicism
   . The belief that everything has a price in monetary terms and that you can do anything to achieve positive results causes rejection. As a result, others consider them immoral.
2. Lack of authorities
   . For pragmatists who seek profit in everything, only their own interests are important. They can listen to other people's opinions, but will only take them into account if it suits their interests. In other cases, they will not rely on other people’s words, authority and actions.
3. Selfishness
   . All efforts are made only to achieve the set goal. On the way to her, he will not be stopped by other people's emotions and losses. They are not interested in the interests of others, since the main thing in life is the result at any cost.

It is these qualities that cause a negative attitude that are necessary for the implementation of the plan. These people do not stop in front of obstacles; difficulties only strengthen their character. All this allows you to finish the job you started.

The pragmatist's relationships with others

Apart from the fact that some people condemn their views and life position, in most cases pragmatists get along well with others. They are not prone to quarrels; they prefer to avoid even emotional disputes, so as not to waste time and energy on them. Because of their reluctance to engage in the “fight for justice,” pragmatists are often considered insincere. But in reality, they are less prone to hypocrisy, because despite their prudence, they are not afraid to make a bad impression.

Thanks to their responsibility, dedication and consistency, pragmatists make a pleasant impression on new acquaintances. They also have a broad outlook and a good sense of humor. When explaining something, they try to give a simple and understandable example from life, which sets them apart from most people who usually do not think about how well and accurately their interlocutor understands.

Usually pragmatists are liked by new acquaintances, thanks to which they quickly develop good relationships. But when it comes to friendship or romance, it turns out that not everything is so smooth. A pragmatic person does not change and maintains a practical approach in all matters. Close people are offended by such behavior, believing that he does not value them. He sincerely does not understand what is wrong with rationally planning his time.

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Pros and cons of a pragmatist

A pragmatic attitude to life is inherent in every person, as it was formed through evolution. In some circumstances it can be beneficial, but in others it can cause inconvenience. Let's take a closer look at what advantages and disadvantages this character trait has.

Advantages of a pragmatist:

• the ability to quickly form optimal behavior tactics in the current situation and carefully consider a long-term strategy for success;
• the ability to influence others, to convince them of their own rightness;
• the ability to take control of your emotions even in the most difficult situations;
• readiness for innovation and experimentation;
• determination, the ability to concentrate and confidently move towards the goal, choosing the optimal path and correcting it in a timely manner.

Disadvantages of a pragmatist:

• focus on profit or other practical benefit;
• reluctance to put things off for the sake of spending quality time with loved ones;
• a complete lack of passion and adventurism, which does not allow one to invest in interesting long-term projects (including one’s own development in a new direction);
• coldness, cynicism and increased demands on others;
• the desire to make the most of all available resources.

When explaining who a pragmatist is, they usually first of all talk about his selfishness and inability to appreciate simple human values, sharing them with his loved ones. But this is compensated by the fact that pragmatic people are, as a rule, very peace-loving and always ready for dialogue. Therefore, those close to them feel comfortable and cozy with them, the main thing is to find a common language and get used to the difference in outlook on life.

Ranked Lists

In practice, in modern Russia, the construction of ranked lists is most actively used by educational institutions, which in this way order applicants wishing to enroll in a given university or other institution.
In this case, the ranking criterion is the sum of points that each graduate received in all exams that are mandatory for admission. Based on this indicator, ranked lists of applicants are built, in which the highest positions are occupied by young people who scored the highest total number of points, and the lowest positions are occupied by those who scored the fewest points. Based on these lists, which are also sometimes called applicant ratings, admissions are subsequently made.

A very mysterious and at the same time mysterious word is pragmatism. Many people do not know its meaning and are often surprised when someone uses the word pragmatism in their vocabulary. In the minds of the average person, this term is directly associated with some kind of rational, integral actions. Many centuries ago, people sought to give every object and action an explanation and the key goal was to pass on knowledge to the next generation. Literally from the Greek language the word “pragmatism” is translated as kind, deed, action.

The philosophy of pragmatism began to actively develop only in the early 70s of the 19th century. The founder of the philosophy of pragmatism in America was Charles Peirce; he is called the founding father of pragmatism as a method. Sanders introduced the world to the basic ideas of pragmatism, which he illustrated in several of his publications: “Anchoring Beliefs” and “Making Our Ideas Clear.” This philosophical trend took hold in the United States of America, but only in the 20th century.

How to cultivate pragmatism in yourself?

Despite some inconveniences, pragmatism is a useful trait that helps you achieve greater success and move more confidently towards your goals. And every person has the opportunity to form and develop this character trait. There are several simple exercises that you can do regularly to become a more pragmatic person:

1. Set a goal and think about it

. It is better to choose a simple task that will take no more than a couple of hours to complete. This could be cleaning the apartment, cooking a new dish, or a small project at work. Now, before you start solving the problem, think about the algorithm of your actions. Think about what steps can be optimized, what minor details can be eliminated in order to act more efficiently.

If you want to work on your ability to set goals correctly and achieve them, I recommend taking the “Goal Setting Course” from Vikium. This course will teach you not only to achieve your goals, but also to fulfill your plans, become more effective in work and life, fulfill your dreams, and stop wasting energy.

2. Get into the habit of planning for the future, not dreaming.

. We all periodically immerse ourselves in dreams of some desired future. These could be important changes in your personal life, career prospects, or a good vacation. Becoming more pragmatic doesn't have to mean giving up those dreams. It is enough to turn them into real planning. Start thinking in detail about how your dream will come true, why it will come true, and what actions you will need to take.

3. Bring every task you start to completion

. This is the most important habit of pragmatists, available to every person. Just train yourself not to give up on unfinished tasks. If a task seems too difficult, evaluate the potential benefits in advance and only take on it when it is truly rational.

4. Learn to be a tactician and strategist rolled into one

. Start planning how you will achieve certain goals and write down the necessary steps on paper. For example, if you are planning to buy a car, take a notepad and do the calculations. Calculate how much is missing and how long it will take to save it from your salary. If the period turns out to be too long, immediately consider and write down options that can significantly increase your income in the near future. Everything should be described in as much detail as possible.

Traits of Pragmatic People

A pragmatic person is the master of his own destiny, because he knows what he wants to achieve in life and how it can be achieved. The minds of these people work calmly, prudently and without unnecessary emotions. This character trait is more often present in men, since women are more susceptible to the influence of feelings.

The main thing for a pragmatist is the end result. If a person sees a successful outcome of a planned event, then he will achieve his goal. Otherwise, the pragmatist will not waste his precious time, since material results are considered an indicator of success for him. He tries to get more out of what he has.

Pragmatists are not characterized by daydreaming, living in a world of illusions and fantasies. They look at the situation soberly and do everything possible to find a basis for the implementation of their principles and views.

One of the positive aspects of pragmatism is that a person does not have a stage of euphoria, and, accordingly, no reason for disappointment.

People with this character trait do not like to be frank; they are not characterized by sincerity, talkativeness and sentimentality. They understand: if someone has confidential and personal information, then the data obtained can be used for someone else’s selfish purposes for blackmail or manipulation.

A pragmatic person tries to maintain purely formal relations with all people from his immediate environment, keeps his distance, and is careful in his communication. He will never change his plans because of someone's whims, stubbornness or whim.

In addition, pragmatists are characterized by the following qualities:

• diligence;
• demanding of oneself and others;
• responsibility;
• obligation.

Pragmatism

– this is not only extracting personal benefit from the environment and current conditions, but also the ability to set specific life goals, ideas and find rational ways to implement them.
An important property of pragmatism is the ability to rank your priorities, choose the most important ones and consistently implement them. Pragmatism
is akin to entrepreneurship, and both of these are often criticized by public morality. “You want a lot, you get little” is a statement that has become almost folk wisdom, but this approach brings up weak-willed and inert people who do not strive for the best. A pragmatic person himself becomes the master of his own destiny; he builds his own system of views and principles to quickly obtain practically useful results. The main law of pragmatism is not to take on the next action until the previous one is completely completed. Only high-quality implementation of each makes it possible to move forward towards the intended goal. To cultivate pragmatic thinking, try to think about your goals and planned activities. Don’t be afraid to discard the non-urgent and unimportant - they only slow you down on the path to success. Learn to make plans even for the distant future: any, even the most fantastic ideas and incredible dreams will do, but they will help you figure out what exactly you want to achieve. To learn to think strategically, write a list of your cherished desires, half-forgotten, unrealized, but still relevant. Then choose one of these ideas and make a plan to implement it.1. What material resources will you need to achieve it?2. What people can help you realize your plans?3. What obstacles will await you on the way to your goal? Consider ways to overcome them.4. What skills do you need to have to make your dream come true? Thus, you will clearly be presented with a practical task, broken down into smaller stages that you will have to consistently implement. But remember that according to the “golden” rule of pragmatism, any effort invested must necessarily pay off in appropriate dividends.

The word " relevance"

“,” “relevant” is heard quite often in various areas of life.
Thus, students are asked to indicate the relevance
of their chosen thesis topic; current news is shown on television.
Relevance
is especially important with regard to information that becomes outdated so quickly these days.

Instructions

Relevance - the importance, materiality, topicality of something for the present moment in time. The word itself comes from the Latin actualis - real, real. Synonyms for relevance include vitality, urgency, importance, timeliness, and modernity. There are such stable ones as “hot topic”, “hot question”, “hot task”, etc. A current topic is always interesting, in demand, and touches thoughts and feelings. The actual problem is the one that must be solved first.

If we try to explain the essence of this word as simply as possible, then we can say that for someone who wants to eat, food is important, and for someone who is in a hurry to work, the availability of transport is important. The concept of relevance is important in the field and production. So, a popular brand is relevant, i.e. corresponding to the key motivations and needs of the target audience. This brand is in demand. To relevance

associated with the concept of constant movement and eternal variability of existence.
At the same time, relevance
reflects the current reality and captures it before this reality changes again.

The word " relevance"

"is often used in relation to art, a work of art - a painting, a book, a film.
If the work is relevant, that it responds to current issues and needs of society. It often becomes a part of its era. This is the difference between relevance and fashion: fashion is a whim of society, it goes away as unnoticed as it comes. Current issues are those that concern people at the moment on a conscious and subconscious level. On the one hand, relevance
is obviously temporary. But some works remain relevant for centuries due to the fact that the topics they raise are equally important for people in any era. In such cases, about “passing the test of time.”

From the point of view of the technical side of the procedure, ranking is based on a specific algorithm for assigning ranks to each of the objects that are part of the set under consideration. Thus, the most common algorithm is based on the principle in which the object with the maximum attribute value is assigned the highest rank, and the object with the minimum attribute value is assigned the lowest rank. In this case, the highest rank is considered to be 1, and the lowest is the number corresponding to the number of objects in the analyzed set. So, for example, if height is considered a ranking criterion in a group of 15 boys, then rank 1 will go to the tallest boy with a height of 192 centimeters, and rank 15 will go to the shortest boy with a height of 165 centimeters.

Moreover, if two or more objects are characterized by the same attribute values, they are assigned equal , each of which is equal to the arithmetic mean of the sum of the ranks under consideration. For example, when ranking based on test results in a group from , you may encounter a situation where one of its members received a grade of 5, one received a grade of 3, and three received a grade of 4. Thus, an excellent student will receive rank 1, and a C student will receive rank 5. In this case, students who received a grade of 4 will be assigned the same rank: it should be calculated as the arithmetic average of the ranks that will be divided between them, namely ranks 2, 3 and 4. Thus, the average rank of these students = (2 + 3 + 4) / 3 = 3.