Pragmatism and Conflicts at Work: Theoretical and Methodological Insights from William James

In this article, I explore the practical implications of William James’ pragmatism for examining workplace conflicts. Specifically, I aim to elucidate the relationship between the meaning of a conflict, its utility for those involved, and how this utility is connected to specific needs that arise in the workplace. Additionally, I examine how multiple belief systems can be integrated into a higher-order belief system that is negotiated among individuals entrenched in the conflict, ensuring that this overarching belief system does not contradict the individual belief systems. Insights from this Jamesian perspective of pragmatism are derived by reinterpreting a historical case study by Kurt Lewin, followed by the development of an interview guide. This guide is intended to assist both researchers and practitioners in applying the pragmatic method to workplace conflicts, particularly in situations of chronic discord.