Pragmatism
Pragmatism is the method of clarifying an idea by asking what practical difference it would make if it were true.
Full definition of Pragmatism →:: COMPARE ::
PragmatismvsRationalism
The short answer
Rationalism asks what follows from the concept; pragmatism asks what would show up in experience if the concept held. Different tests rather than different answers — which is why pragmatism is better described as a method for clarifying meaning than as a set of conclusions.
Side by side
| Aspect | Pragmatism | Rationalism |
|---|---|---|
| Test | Practical consequences | Logical entailment |
| Clarifies | Meaning | Necessity |
| Is a | Method | Source of knowledge |
| Home | America, 1870s | Europe, 17th c. |
What each one means
Rationalism
The contrast above sets out how Rationalism differs from Pragmatism on the points that actually matter.