Pragmatic, Dogmatic, and Skeptical

Recognize three words that describe a thinker's stance toward ideas.

Arguments and characters are often described by how they hold beliefs. Pragmatic describes someone focused on what works in practice rather than on theory or ideals; it comes from Greek pragma, 'deed' or 'thing done. ' Dogmatic describes someone who asserts beliefs as certainly true and refuses to consider evidence against them; it comes from dogma, 'opinion' or 'decree. ' Skeptical describes someone who doubts claims until they are supported; it comes from Greek skeptesthai, 'to examine. ' Worked example: a town debates a new bridge.

One council member says, 'Our current design is perfect, and any criticism is nonsense. ' That is dogmatic. Another says, 'I'll support whichever plan we can afford and build by spring. ' That is pragmatic. A third says, 'I need to see the engineering report before I believe the cost estimate. ' That is skeptical. These words let you name a stance precisely when you analyze an argument.

• 1Pragmatic: focused on practical results.
• 2Dogmatic: asserting beliefs as beyond question.
• 3Skeptical: doubting until evidence is shown.