What is the Difference Between Pragmatism and Progressivism?

Pragmatism and progressivism are two distinct philosophical and political ideologies that emerged in the late 19th century and early 20th century, respectively. The main differences between them include:

1. Focus: Pragmatism emphasizes practicality, experience, and the connection between knowledge and experience, while progressivism focuses on human progress, particularly in the realms of technology, society, and economics.
2. Emergence: Pragmatism emerged in the 1870s as a philosophical movement, while progressivism developed later as a combination of social and political movements.
3. Approach to Education: In the context of education, pragmatism is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of connecting knowledge and experience, with students playing a role in the design of curriculum and evaluation of their teachers. On the other hand, progressive education is primarily a set of practices that challenge traditional teaching methods, focusing on constructing ideas instead of passive learning and involving students in projects and questioning.
4. Use of Government Power: Progressivism involves using government power to achieve moral goals, whereas pragmatism believes in using practical solutions to solve problems.

In summary, while both pragmatism and progressivism share some common goals, they differ in their focus, emergence, approach to education, and use of government power.

Comparative Table: Pragmatism vs Progressivism

Here is a table comparing the differences between pragmatism and progressivism:

In summary, pragmatism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the practical application of thought and experience, while progressivism is a philosophical tradition that focuses on human progress and development. Both movements have influenced education in the United States, but progressivism has also played a role in political and social movements. Key figures in pragmatism include Charles Sanders Peirce, John Dewey, and Chauncey Wright, while progressivism has roots in the works of Rousseau and American pragmatists.