AMERICAN PRAGMATISM IN ECONOMY

AND EDUCATION

I. What is American Pragmatism?

American pragmatism is a philosophy that sees benefits as a truth in life.

Americans strongly believe in this philosophy because it is a way of life or a
guiding principle to explore the resources in the environment. They are
confident that something is said to be truth if it has benefits in life. The keyword
here is benefit.

II. Why American Pragmatism?

There are several reasons of why American pragmatism is compatible

with the life of the Americans. First, it is compatible with the American
geography that highly demands the Americans to think of something practically
and systematically. With huge numbers of natural resources, they are requested
to think and act efficiently and effectively to explore the assets. This is in
accordance with the expression of ”Time is money”. Secondly, the life goal of
human beings is to pursue the happiness. In order for human beings to pursue
the happiness, human beings have to solve the problems easily by seeing the
benefits. Last but not least, it is compatible with the demographic and state
philosophy of democracy factors where Americans are comprised of multiethnic
and culture.

III. How is this operated?

American pragmatism functions in all institutions that exist in the

American society. They are religious, economic, educational, governmental, and
familial institutions. In economic institution, free market system is the operation
of American pragmatism. They see that the government intervention will only
lead people to be corruptive. They see that the function of government is only
protecting the society from distortions. As there is no intervention in the market,
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businesses among Americans are huge in numbers. Businesspeople are given
freedom to run their businesses. They can start their businesses from the
smallest into the biggest one. One of them is by the way of changing everything
into products that have selling point. The product, for example is Mac Donald.

Mac Donalds is a famous family restaurant that provides meals and

beverages. It starts with the thought of providing people with practical ways of
eating and drinking. They see that practical packaging of meals and beverages
will lead them to an easy and interesting life, particularly in the morning with
their breakfast. As they see this business is prospective not only in America but
outside as well, they develop it into big business around the world.

They make use of media of communication to promote the products such

as Television. They have changed the product of popular culture into big
businesses. The important thing to keep in mind is the fact that fair competition
in the marketplace is still sustainable.

In educational institution, the application of American pragmatism can be

seen in the curriculum. The curriculum in all educational institutions I America is
based upon the problem solving methodology. They create syllabus which is
compatible with the environment of the people. People are given freedom to
choose the disciplines they want to explore. Once they choose their major, they
will be completely equipped with the life skills and experiences.

John Dewey, one of the proposers of American pragmatism, sees that

there has to be compatibility between education and the real life. Therefore, the
curriculum and syllabus of a discipline one may choose, it has to be designed in
such a way that the learner can sustain his or her life upon the completion of his
or her studies. Experiences are the main focus of the studies as education is the
necessity of life and directions. If the science one studies does not make him
strong in life, then there is no function of education as it is not beneficial.

For example, English major students. The English major students have to
be completely equipped with the skills of English that are beneficial once they
graduate from their studies. They have to master the skills taught to them. This
leads the students of professionalism, knowing from A to Z in English. Subjects
that do not have relevance have to be selected and omitted from the curriculum.

Figure1: The Relationship Between American Pragmatism and Economy &

Education

AMERICAN PRAGMATISM AS A VALUE

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ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

Free Market System School and Individual Autonomy