Pragmatism is a philosophical movement that originated in the United States in the 19th century in response to the rise of scientific inquiry. It was influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and developed by thinkers including Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey. Pragmatism defines truth as whatever works successfully to solve problems. It views people as social beings that exist within a pluralistic society composed of various interacting groups, and that society's role is to control the consequences of these primary groups.

2.  Pragmatism is America’s acknowledged
contribution to the science of
philosophy.
 Developed in the 19th century which
saw the rise of science, scientific
inquiry and experimental method, and
was profoundly influenced by Charles
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.

3.  Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914)
 William James (1842-1910)
 John Dewey (1859-1952)


4.  Dewey’s basic definition of pragmatism is that it is
“ the theory that the processes and the materials of
knowledge are determined by practical or
purposive consideration”. According to Peirce the
pragmatists’ view is supported by he practices of
experimental science specifically the laboratory
method in which the hypotheses are ideas or
proposed solutions to felt problems. These are
tested an either rejected or confirmed.
Truth, therefore, is that which works and is
successful in solving problems.

5.  The pragmatists’ focus on consequences and
how they are controlled through intelligence
is the foundation of their concepts of person
and society.
 A person is a social animal because
association rather than isolation is the law
that governs everything that exists. The
ends of associative life such as
survival, habits of action and
thought, and, choice of consequences are
served by numerous social groups.

6.  To the pragmatists, society is pluralistic, not an entity in
itself, but a collection of interacting primary groups. These
smaller groups however produce consequences on persons
other than those who directly participate in these primary
groups.
 Hence there arose a distinct concern in the formation of
public forms of associative life like the state and emerging
international groups like the
UNO, ASEAN, APEC, European Union, etc. On these
groups rest the responsibility that the consequences of
primary groups do not themselves go beyond their own
shared interests.
 In summary, pragmatism views a person as a problem
solver in an environment of pluralism of
groups, interests, and consequences.