pragmatists

Results-over-theory people

Pragmatists are people who prioritize practical results over theoretical ideals.

A pragmatist asks what works rather than what's philosophically pure: She's a pragmatist—she'll compromise to get the bill passed.

In philosophy, Pragmatists (often capitalized) follow the tradition of William James and John Dewey, who held that the truth of an idea lies in its practical consequences.

results-oriented

effective

Producing intended results

efficientProductive without waste
outcome-basedAssessed by end results
productiveGenerating useful output

achievable · strategic · tactical · methodical · systematic · hands-on · proactive · actionable · implementers · doers

realistic

down-to-earth

Practical and without pretension

groundedStable and realistic
levelheadedCalm and judicious
clear-sightedHaving sharp judgment

commonsensical · sober · hardheaded · unidealistic · matter-of-fact · shrewd · prudent · judicious · objective · empirical

philosophical

James

Traditional masculine name

DeweyLibrary classification pioneer
instrumentalismTheories as useful tools
empiricismKnowledge through observation

anti-foundationalism · experimentalism · pluralism · naturalism · inquiry · contingency

utilitarian

consequentialist

Ethics based on outcomes

cost-benefitComparing expenditure to return
expediencyPrioritizing practicality over ethics
instrumentalistOne who performs music

functionalist · practicality · trade-offs · optimization · efficiency · usefulness · purposeful · calculated · measured · weighing

pragmatists

effective

down-to-earth

James

consequentialist

pragmatists

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