pragmatism
n. a philosophical position holding that the truth value of a proposition or a theory is to be found in its practical consequences: If, for example, the hypothesis of God makes people virtuous and happy, then it may be considered true. Although some forms of pragmatism emphasize only the material consequences of an idea, more sophisticated positions, including that of William James, recognize conceptual and moral consequences. Arguably, all forms of pragmatism tend toward relativism, because they can provide no absolute grounds—only empirical grounds—for determining truth, and no basis for judging whether the consequences in question are to be considered good or bad. See also instrumentalism. [coined by Charles S. Peirce]
—pragmatist
adj., n.