Pragmatism

The term “Pragmatism” was derived from the Greek word “Pragma”. This term means the things that are done or complete or business. Further the Greek word “Pragmatikos” means skilled in some business. Hence, we can clearly say that the main concern of pragmatism is actual practice or action, day to day affairs and activities, etc; not with definition or theory, but with utility.

The philosophy of pragmatism verifies the meaning and truth of all concepts. It testifies it validity with the help of effective practical result. In this scenario, experience is considered as the central or focal point. Pragmatism differs from idealistic philosophy. The philosophy of pragmatism believes that human values and attitudes are absolute, as the world is in the state of constant change. It again says that human being creates their own values and at the time of need they again reconstructs as for their flexibility during their life. Hence, philosophy of pragmatism has special impacts on the value experimentation, utility of education and solution of problem. Here, experimentation is the way of learning by doing.

During the Progressive Era in Education in America (1917-1957), the philosophy of pragmatism was involved in the way to education. Humanism, experimentalism and existentialism were the extension of education in that era. They shared the view education for the social betterment. Dewey argues that educations as well as democracy are the part of same process. With the development of education the idea of democracy developed. Hence, pragmatism makes life of every individual as the basis for education.

From the view of pragmatism education is especially for social needs. True education should be provide not only to commute or operate all activities but it is for consistence development and progress that can add value, meanings and experience to the social development. The implication of education is to create a scenario where learner finds solutions to their problems. Thus, education can only achieved through experience rather than just reading books. Education should be experimental, scientific and should be applicable in our daily life so that we can develop our society.