“Pragmatism is the attitude of looking away from first things, principles, 'categories', supposed necessities; and of looking towards last things, fruits, consequences, facts.”
— William James
Simplified Meaning:
Pragmatism means focusing on what truly works and what results you get, rather than sticking to strict rules or abstract ideas. Imagine you’re building a bridge. Instead of worrying about what the perfect bridge should look like in theory, you concentrate on making sure it stands strong and helps people cross safely. In everyday life, this attitude helps solve problems more effectively. For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, instead of sticking to one strict diet because it’s a popular trend, you pay attention to how different foods and exercises affect you personally and choose the ones that bring the best health results. Pragmatism is about being practical, learning from your experiences, and focusing on what achieves the desired outcome rather than being tied to a specific way of doing things. It encourages flexibility and adaptation based on what you see actually happening and what you learn from it.