The opposite of pragmatism in philosophy is often considered to be idealism. Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that emphasizes practical consequences and real-world effects as the criteria for determining truth and value. It focuses on what works and what is useful in practice.
Idealism, on the other hand, is a philosophical approach that prioritizes ideas, principles, and abstract concepts over practical considerations. Idealists believe that reality is fundamentally mental or spiritually constructed, and they often emphasize the importance of universal truths and values that exist independently of human experience.
While pragmatism is concerned with practical outcomes and the usefulness of ideas, idealism is more focused on the intrinsic value of ideas and their alignment with universal principles. These two philosophies represent contrasting approaches to understanding reality, truth, and the nature of knowledge.