The prejudice that favors immediate, practical, "what works" solutions over deeper systemic analysis or principles. It dismisses theory, ethics, or long-term vision as "ivory tower" thinking, while uncritically embracing short-term efficiency, even if it reinforces harmful structures. The bias assumes that practicality is neutral, ignoring that "what works" is defined by and for the existing power system.
Example: A city manager addresses homelessness not by examining housing policy or wage laws, but by funding more aggressive police sweeps of encampments. "We need to be pragmatic; people want clean parks now." This pragmatic bias chooses the immediately visible "solution" that pleases constituents, while actively worsening the root crisis.
by Dumu The Void February 9, 2026
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