'Instrumentalism' definitions:

Definition of 'instrumentalism'

From: WordNet
noun
A system of pragmatic philosophy that considers idea to be instruments that should guide our actions and their value is measured by their success

Definition of 'Instrumentalism'

From: GCIDE
  • Instrumentalism \In`stru*men"tal*ism\, n. (Philos.) The view that the sanction of truth is its utility, or that truth is genuine only in so far as it is a valuable instrument. -- {In`stru*men"tal*ist}, n.
  • Instrumentalism views truth as simply the value belonging to certain ideas in so far as these ideas are biological functions of our organisms, and psychological functions whereby we direct our choices and attain our successes. --Josiah Royce. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]