Expedients

Expedients are actions, methods, or strategies that are convenient and practical, though they may be considered immoral, unethical, or unfair in certain circumstances. They are employed to achieve a particular end quickly or efficiently, often at the expense of principle. The focus is on the immediate outcome, sometimes disregarding the long-term consequences or broader ethical implications. The use of expedients implies a willingness to compromise or bend the rules to reach a desired goal, and their justification often rests on the belief that the end justifies the means. They prioritize utility and pragmatic concerns over idealistic or principled approaches. The effectiveness of expedients is assessed by their success in accomplishing the intended objective, regardless of the methods employed.

Expedients meaning with examples

• The company's decision to downsize the workforce, though causing hardship for many employees, was seen by the executives as a necessary expedient to improve the company's financial standing and maintain its competitive edge in the market. The executives' view was focused on profitability without as much concern for staff. Many argued that the expedient disregarded the ethical impact.
• During the crisis, the government resorted to several financial expedients, including raising taxes and implementing austerity measures, to stabilize the economy and prevent a complete collapse, despite these policies being unpopular. The need for a quick fix was so pressing that the government had to implement expedients to keep the economy running as it considered the long term consequences.
• In order to quickly advance his career, the ambitious politician used several political expedients, such as making promises he couldn't keep and leveraging his connections, to garner support and climb the ranks. This meant he would sacrifice moral convictions or compromises to his vision.
• The spy was forced to employ several tactical expedients, like misdirection and bribery, to gather vital intelligence and complete their mission, even though such tactics posed some moral dilemmas. The intelligence was vital to the survival of many, so it made the need for expedients very important.
• Faced with a resource shortage, the community relied on several logistical expedients, such as rationing and black market activity, to provide for its members and weather the hardships, knowing these methods were not sustainable long-term. People needed to take it day by day and use what resources they had to get by.