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Pragmatist vs Utilitarian - What's the difference?

pragmatist | utilitarian |

As nouns the difference between pragmatist and utilitarian

is that pragmatist is one who acts in a practical or straightforward manner; one who is pragmatic; one who values practicality or pragmatism while utilitarian is someone who practices or advocates utilitarianism.

As an adjective utilitarian is

of or relating to utility.

pragmatist

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • One who acts in a practical or straightforward manner; one who is pragmatic; one who values practicality or pragmatism.
  • A pragmatist would never plant such a messy tree, but I like its flowers.
  • One who acts in response to particular situations rather than upon abstract ideals; one who is willing to ignore their ideals to accomplish goals.
  • I'm not a thief, I am a pragmatist. I need this bread to feed my family.
    We cannot trust him not to lie for his own gain, he's an opportunist and a pragmatist.
  • One who belongs to the philosophic school of pragmatism; one who holds that the meaning of beliefs are the actions they entail, and that the truth of those beliefs consist in the actions they entail successfully leading a believer to their goals.
  • * 2007 , John Lachs and Robert Talisse, American Philosophy: An Encyclopedia , p. 310.
  • [S]ome pragmatists (such as William James) took a more pantheist or pandeist approach by rejecting views of God as separate from the world.

    utilitarian

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • of or relating to utility
  • practical and functional, not just for show.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • Someone who practices or advocates utilitarianism.
  • Derived terms

    * utilitarianism * futilitarianism * utilitarianly