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Pragmatism vs Materialism - What's the difference?

pragmatism | materialism |

In philosophy terms the difference between pragmatism and materialism

is that pragmatism is 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 while materialism is the philosophical belief that nothing exists beyond what is physical.

As nouns the difference between pragmatism and materialism

is that pragmatism is the pursuit of practicality over aesthetic qualities; a concentration on facts rather than emotions or ideals while materialism is constant concern over material possessions and wealth; a great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.

pragmatism

Noun

  • The pursuit of practicality over aesthetic qualities; a concentration on facts rather than emotions or ideals.
  • (politics) The theory that political problems should be met with practical solutions rather than ideological ones.
  • (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.
  • * 1902 , William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience , Folio Society 2008, p. 378:
  • Our conception of these practical consequences is for us the whole of our conception of the object [...] This is the principle of Peirce, the principle of pragmatism .

    Antonyms

    * idealism * contemplation

    materialism

    Noun

  • Constant concern over material possessions and wealth; a great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.
  • * Buckminster
  • The irregular fears of a future state had been supplanted by the materialism of Epicurus.
  • (philosophy) The philosophical belief that nothing exists beyond what is physical.
  • (obsolete, rare) Material substances in the aggregate; matter.
  • Synonyms

    * (philosophy) physicalism * (philosophy) philosophical materialism

    Antonyms

    * (philosophy) idealism

    Derived terms

    * philosophical materialism

    See also

    * idealism * physicalism