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'''Pragmatism''' is a straightforward practical way of thinking about things or dealing with problems, concerned with results rather than with [[theories]] and principles. It was created by American [[Progressives]] as a method which rejected philosophical principles. It measures ideas not bases upon whether they are right or wrong, but by how practical they are.<ref> https://www.prageru.com/video/which-one-are-you-ideologue-or-pragmatist/</ref> [[Politician]]s are often described as pragmatic if they change their policies, or even their professed beliefs, based on what will produce results in a given [[political ]] climate, or what will win them votes.

Pragmatism is also a [[philosophical ]] school with origins in the [[United States]] which postulates that [[truth ]] is whatever is useful and rejects [[foundationalism]]. Perhaps the most well-known pragmatist was [[William James]], who wrote extensively on the subject of [[religious ]] experience and was writer [[Henry James]]' brother. The late philosopher [[Richard Rorty]] is also remembered as a "neo-pragmatist". [[Hu Shi]], a famed [[Chinese ]] modern thinker who was prominent in the pre-[[Communist ]] [[China]] was also influenced by American pragmatism. It rejects the notion of absolute right and wrong, good and evil, and ultimately defines truth as that which is useful, meaningful, helpful. Ideas that don't seem workable or relevant are rejected as false. <ref>https://www.gty.org/library/questions/QA209/what-is-pragmatism-why-is-it-bad</ref>

As [[Ben Shaprio Shapiro]] stated "[[Human beings being]]s have [[moral ]] duty not out of pragmatism but out of principle." <ref>https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/03/western-civilization-revelation-reason-worth-defending/</ref> Liberals [[Liberal]]s often use pragmatism to advocate for ideas based not on morals or principles but on what is more practical. Such as cheating may be perceived as a more practical way to pass a class, or win a game, despite it being wrong. Pragmatism also leads to the opposition of Conservative [[conservative]] ideas, for instance, President [[Ronald Reagan]] called for the war on drugs, which may many liberals oppose on the basis on what is practical rather than morals and principles.  

Pragmatism also causes [[mediocrity]]. As Greatness, being the antithesis of mediocrity, comes from daring to think great thoughts and take great risks, however being realistic prevents this. This raises the question and thought of "What would [[Thomas Edison]] or [[Nicola Tesla ]] invented if they had decided to be realistic instead of pursuing their dream? The same applies to [[Rockefeller]], Morgan, or Getty? Where would they be if they had been realistic?" <ref>https://philosiblog.com/2013/03/01/being-realistic-is-the-most-common-path-to-mediocrity/</ref> This all hinders [[innovation]], as the people who make real differences in this world are not focused on the odds, or coming up with endless reasons why something can’t work. <ref>https://lisa-christiansen.com/2012/05/17/the-most-common-road-to-mediocrity-is-being-realistic/</ref>