instrumentalism
/ˌɪnstrʊˈmentəlɪzəm/noun
mass noun
1
- a pragmatic philosophical approach which regards an activity (such as science, law, or education) chiefly as an instrument or tool for some practical purpose, rather than in more absolute or ideal terms, in particular工具主义, 尤指：
1.1
- Philosophy the pragmatic philosophy of John Dewey which supposes that thought is an instrument for solving practical problems, and that truth is not fixed but changes as the problems change【哲】（杜威实用主义哲学）工具主义。
1.2
- (especially in Marxist theory) the view that the state and social organizations are tools which are exploited by the ruling class or by individuals in their own interests（尤指马克思主义）国家工具论; 社会组织工具论。
2
- Music, rare instrumental technique【乐】〈罕〉乐器演奏技巧。