pragmatism

Meanings

1. The pursuit of practicality over aesthetic qualities; a concentration on facts rather than emotions or ideals.
2. 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.
3. The theory that political problems should be met with practical solutions rather than ideological ones.
4. The habit of interfering in other people's affairs; meddlesomeness.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek stem of πρᾶγμα (prâgma, “act”) + -ism.