We consider a pragmatic approach to the science to understand the “atmosphere” as the word and not as the presupposed reality or already there.This allows to understand “ambiance” as a word, not as a presupposed or factual reality. This word can be then considered for its capacity to classify the reality offered to consciousness, which leads to testing the classificatory value of the category “ambiance” in ordinary life. Arises then the relativity of such an urban- and Western-centered concept, but also, in fine, the heuristic resources of a research program centered on “ruining” ambiances.