in·stru·men·tal·ism ( n str -m n tl-zm)n. A pragmatic theory that ideas are instruments that function as guides of action, their validity being determined by the success of the action. |
instrumentalism [ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəˌlɪzəm]
n
1. (Philosophy) a system of pragmatic philosophy holding that ideas are instruments, that they should guide our actions and can change the world, and that their value consists not in their truth but in their success
2. (Philosophy) an antirealist philosophy of science that holds that theories are not true or false but are merely tools for deriving predictions from observational data
instrumentalism
a pragmatic philosophy holding that it is the function of thought to be a means to the control of environment, and that the value and truthfulness of ideas is determined by their usefulness in human experience or progress. — instrumentalist, n., adj.
See also: Philosophythe concept that ideas and thoughts are instruments of action and that their usefulness determines their truth. — instrumentalist, adj.
See also: Ideas
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | instrumentalism - a system of pragmatic philosophy that considers idea to be instruments that should guide our actions and their value is measured by their success pragmatism - (philosophy) the doctrine that practical consequences are the criteria of knowledge and meaning and value |
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