pragmatic

/præg'mætik/

Thân thiện

A pragmatic engineer chooses the simplest solution that works.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Practical and focused on results: Describes an approach or person that prioritizes what works effectively in real situations over following strict theories or ideals.
   • Relating to pragmatism: Pertaining to the philosophical doctrine that the meaning or value of ideas, theories, or beliefs lies in their practical consequences.

2. Noun (Historical/Legal):

   • A pragmatic sanction: An official decree or ordinance issued by a sovereign, especially one having the force of fundamental law.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:

  • The mayor took a pragmatic approach to the budget crisis, focusing on solutions that would have an immediate impact.
  • Her decision was pragmatic rather than emotional; she chose the option with the highest chance of success.
  • In pragmatic terms, this policy is unlikely to work.

• Noun:

  • The Pragmatic Sanction of 1713 was intended to ensure the inheritance of the Habsburg lands.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Pragmatic vs. Dogmatic: A pragmatic stance is flexible and adaptable, in contrast to a dogmatic one, which is rigidly adherent to doctrine.
• Pragmatic inference (Linguistics): Refers to meaning derived from context and shared knowledge, not just the literal words. For example, if someone says "It's cold in here," the pragmatic inference might be a request to close the window.

Variants and Related Words

• Pragmatically (adverb): In a pragmatic manner.
  • He approached the problem pragmatically.
• Pragmatism (noun): The philosophy or quality of being pragmatic.
  • His pragmatism made him an effective manager.
• Pragmatist (noun): A person who is pragmatic.
  • She is a pragmatist who gets things done.

Synonyms

• Practical
• Realistic
• Down-to-earth
• Matter-of-fact
• Utilitarian (when emphasizing usefulness)

Antonyms

• Idealistic
• Theoretical
• Dogmatic
• Impractical
• Utopian

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Pragmatic sanction: As defined in the noun sense, this is a fixed historical term.
• To take a pragmatic view: To consider something from a practical, results-oriented perspective.
  • We need to take a pragmatic view of the challenges ahead.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory
   • a hardheaded appraisal of our position
   • a hard-nosed labor leader
   • completely practical in his approach to business
   • not ideology but pragmatic politics
2. of or concerning the theory of pragmatism
3. concerned with practical matters
   • a matter-of-fact (or pragmatic) approach to the problem
   • a matter-of-fact account of the trip

Noun

1. an imperial decree that becomes part of the fundamental law of the land

Từ đồng nghĩa

• hardheaded
• hard-nosed
• practical
• pragmatical
• matter-of-fact
• pragmatic sanction