instrumentalism

[in-struh-men-tl-iz-uhm]

noun

Philosophy.

1. the variety of pragmatism developed by John Dewey, maintaining that the truth of an idea is determined by its success in the active solution of a problem and that the value of ideas is determined by their function in human experience.

instrumentalism

/ ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. 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. an antirealist philosophy of science that holds that theories are not true or false but are merely tools for deriving predictions from observational data

Word History and Origins

Origin of instrumentalism¹

First recorded in 1905–10; instrumental + -ism

Example Sentences

It refuses the notion that teaching is a technical act, a homage to an empty instrumentalism divorced from context, insisting instead that education is always implicated in the struggle over meaning and memory.

From Salon

The band had added layers of overdubbed vocals and haunting instrumentalism to the song.

From BBC

But we have a strong predisposition toward what might be called instrumentalism, in which all that matters is accomplishing tasks on our to-do lists, with as little cognitive expenditure as possible.

From Scientific American

And, the ultimate in Trumpian instrumentalism: “It doesn’t matter. We won.”

From Washington Post

But Pence didn’t confine his case to instrumentalism.

From The New Yorker