Theory vs. Pragmatism

Theorynoun

(obsolete) Mental conception; reflection, consideration.

Theorynoun

(sciences) A coherent statement or set of ideas that explains observed facts or phenomena and correctly predicts new facts or phenomena not previously observed, or which sets out the laws and principles of something known or observed; a hypothesis confirmed by observation, experiment etc.

Theorynoun

(uncountable) The underlying principles or methods of a given technical skill, art etc., as opposed to its practice.

Theorynoun

(mathematics) A field of study attempting to exhaustively describe a particular class of constructs.

Theorynoun

A hypothesis or conjecture.

Theorynoun

A set of axioms together with all statements derivable from them. Equivalently, a formal language plus a set of axioms (from which can then be derived theorems).

Theorynoun

A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice; hypothesis; speculation.

Theorynoun

An exposition of the general or abstract principles of any science; as, the theory of music.

Theorynoun

The science, as distinguished from the art; as, the theory and practice of medicine.

Theorynoun

The philosophical explanation of phenomena, either physical or moral; as, Lavoisier's theory of combustion; Adam Smith's theory of moral sentiments.

Theorynoun

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena;

Theorynoun

a tentative theory about the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena;

Theorynoun

a belief that can guide behavior;

Theory

A theory is a rational type of abstract thinking about a phenomenon, or the results of such thinking. The process of contemplative and rational thinking is often associated with such processes as observational study or research.

Pragmatismnoun

The pursuit of practicality over aesthetic qualities; a concentration on facts rather than emotions or ideals.

Pragmatismnoun

(politics) The theory that political problems should be met with practical solutions rather than ideological ones.

Pragmatismnoun

(philosophy) The idea that beliefs are identified with the actions of a believer, and the truth of beliefs with success of those actions in securing a believer's goals; the doctrine that ideas must be looked at in terms of their practical effects and consequences.

Pragmatismnoun

The quality or state of being pragmatic; in literature, the pragmatic, or philosophical, method.

Pragmatismnoun

(philosophy) the doctrine that practical consequences are the criteria of knowledge and meaning and value

Pragmatismnoun

the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth

Pragmatismnoun

a pragmatic attitude or policy

Pragmatismnoun

an approach that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application.

Pragmatism

Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that considers words and thought as tools and instruments for prediction, problem solving, and action, and rejects the idea that the function of thought is to describe, represent, or mirror reality. Pragmatists contend that most philosophical topics—such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science—are all best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes.