instrumentalism

2 definitions found

instrumentalism - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Instrumentalism \In`stru*men"tal*ism\, n. (Philos.)
     The view that the sanction of truth is its utility, or that
     truth is genuine only in so far as it is a valuable
     instrument. -- In`stru*men"tal*ist, n.
  
           Instrumentalism views truth as simply the value
           belonging to certain ideas in so far as these ideas are
           biological functions of our organisms, and
           psychological functions whereby we direct our choices
           and attain our successes.                --Josiah
                                                    Royce.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

instrumentalism - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  instrumentalism
      n 1: a system of pragmatic philosophy that considers idea to be
           instruments that should guide our actions and their value
           is measured by their success