Idealism vs. Pragmatism — What's the Difference?

Pursuing high ideals and moral values.

Adaptability to real-world conditions.

A theory that reality is mentally constructed.

Realist, not influenced by ideals or theories.

Philosophical belief in inherent goodness.

Practical approach to problems and affairs.

Unrealistic pursuit of perfection.

Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that considers words and thought as tools and instruments for prediction, problem solving, and action, and rejects the idea that the function of thought is to describe, represent, or mirror reality. Pragmatists contend that most philosophical topics—such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science—are all best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes.

In philosophy, idealism is a diverse group of metaphysical views which all assert that "reality" is in some way indistinguishable or inseparable from human perception and/or understanding, that it is in some sense mentally constructed, or that it is otherwise closely connected to ideas. In contemporary scholarship, traditional idealist views are generally divided into two groups.

A pragmatic attitude or policy

The unrealistic belief in or pursuit of perfection

An approach that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application.

Any of various systems of thought in which the objects of knowledge are held to be in some way dependent on the activity of mind.

(Philosophy) A movement consisting of varying but associated theories, originally developed by Charles S. Peirce and William James and distinguished by the doctrine that the meaning or truth value of an idea or a proposition lies in its observable practical consequences.

The act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal and often impractical form.

A practical, matter-of-fact way of approaching or assessing situations or of solving problems.

Pursuit of one's ideals, often without regard to practical ends.

The pursuit of practicality over aesthetic qualities; a concentration on facts rather than emotions or ideals.

Idealized treatment of a subject in literature or art.

(politics) The theory that political problems should be met with practical solutions rather than ideological ones.

(Philosophy) The theory that the object of external perception, in itself or as perceived, consists of ideas.

(philosophy) The idea that beliefs are identified with the actions of a believer, and the truth of beliefs with success of those actions in securing a believer's goals; the doctrine that ideas must be looked at in terms of their practical effects and consequences.

The property of a person of having high ideals that are usually unrealizable or at odds with practical life.

The habit of interfering in other people's affairs; meddlesomeness.

The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns;—opposed to realism.

The quality or state of being pragmatic; in literature, the pragmatic, or philosophical, method.

(philosophy) An approach to philosophical enquiry, which asserts that direct and immediate knowledge can only be had of ideas or mental pictures.

(philosophy) the doctrine that practical consequences are the criteria of knowledge and meaning and value

The quality or state of being ideal.

The attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth

Conception of the ideal; imagery.

Philosophy where truth is determined by practical consequences.

The system or theory that denies the existence of material bodies, and teaches that we have no rational grounds to believe in the reality of anything but ideas and their relations.

Focusing on practical outcomes and efficiency.

The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns; - opposed to realism.

A belief in the feasibility of the implementation of ideal principles and noble goals, and the practice or habit of pursuing such goals; - opposed to realism and cynicism.

(philosophy) the philosophical theory that ideas are the only reality

Impracticality by virtue of thinking of things in their ideal form rather than as they really are

Elevated ideals or conduct; the quality of believing that ideals should be pursued

Aspiration towards a perfect state.

Not always, but it can prioritize ideals over practicality.

Yes, it's a philosophical tradition focused on practical consequences.

Yes, but it focuses on practical moral outcomes.

Yes, one can balance idealistic goals with pragmatic methods.

Yes, it can inspire and set high ethical standards.

Often, but idealism isn't synonymous with optimism.

Not reject, but it can emphasize ideals over current reality.

Yes, idealism often drives social and ethical progress.

Yes, through practical problem-solving and adaptability.

Not always; it depends on the context and goals.

Not devalue, but it places them within a practical framework.

Sometimes, as they can prioritize ideals over pragmatics.

Many are, but idealism varies in form and intensity.

It can be, as it often prioritizes outcomes over principles.

It can be, if it focuses too narrowly on immediate practicality.