Pragmatism

Catherine Casler; Dean Pierides

doi:10.4337/9781800377721.00099

Pragmatism

Catherine Casler, Dean Pierides^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

Pragmatism, originating in the 1870s among the ‘metaphysical club’ at Harvard and Johns Hopkins, emphasizes practical effects and human experience over abstract truths. Key figures like Peirce, James, Dewey, and Mead shaped classical pragmatism, while neo-pragmatism, developed by Rorty and Putnam in the 1990s, focuses on language contingency and democratic pluralism. Pragmatism influences management and organization studies through early scholars like Mary Parker Follett and Chester Barnard. Its emphasis on action, pluralism, and practical application aligns with critical management studies, offering a dynamic, ethical approach to addressing contemporary organizational challenges.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Elgar Encyclopedia of Critical Management Studies
Editors	Leo McCann, Ödül Bozkurt, Rachael Finn, Edward Granter, Carolyn Hunter, Nina Kivinen, Arun Kumar, Brian Wierman
Place of Publication	Cheltenham
Publisher	Edward Elgar
Chapter	94
Pages	409-412
Number of pages	4
ISBN (Electronic)	9781800377721
ISBN (Print)	9781800377714
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800377721.00099
Publication status	Published - 15 Apr 2025

Publication series

Name	Elgar Encyclopedias in Business and Management series
Publisher	Edward Elgar Publishing

Keywords

Pragmatism
Neo-pragmatism
Organizational learning
Practical effects
Democratic pluralism

Access to Document

10.4337/9781800377721.00099

Cite this

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doi = "10.4337/9781800377721.00099",

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booktitle = "Elgar Encyclopedia of Critical Management Studies",

address = "United Kingdom",

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Pragmatism. / Casler, Catherine; Pierides, Dean.
Elgar Encyclopedia of Critical Management Studies. ed. / Leo McCann; Ödül Bozkurt; Rachael Finn; Edward Granter; Carolyn Hunter; Nina Kivinen; Arun Kumar; Brian Wierman. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2025. p. 409-412 (Elgar Encyclopedias in Business and Management series).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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AU - Pierides, Dean

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KW - Practical effects

KW - Democratic pluralism

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A2 - McCann, Leo

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A2 - Kumar, Arun

A2 - Wierman, Brian

PB - Edward Elgar

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Pragmatism

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