 Pragmatists contend that most philosophical topics—such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science—are all best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes.Pragmatism as a philosophical movement began in the United States in the 1870s.Charles Sanders Peirce (and his Pragmatic Maxim) is given credit for its development, 
along with later twentieth century contributors, William James and John Dewey.