Instrumentalizing
The act of utilizing or leveraging something, often a concept, tool, or resource, to achieve a particular goal or end. This term can imply manipulative or strategic use, where the means are prioritized over ethical considerations, thereby transforming entities into instruments for accomplishing external objectives. It is often used in sociopolitical contexts.
Instrumentalizing meaning with examples
- In the debate over climate change policy, some critics accused the administration of instrumentalizing science as a mere tool to push through their legislative agenda, prioritizing political gain over rigorous scientific inquiry and transparent discussions.
- The documentary was criticized for instrumentalizing the personal stories of its subjects, using their struggles as emotional leverage to drive home a political message without fully representing their lived experiences or choices.
- Activists sometimes instrumentalize historical injustices to draw attention to contemporary issues, effectively using the narrative of the past to mobilize public sentiment and drive change in current policies and societal attitudes.
- In her lecture, the professor warned against instrumentalizing human rights discourse solely for political ends, emphasizing that doing so could undermine the very principles these rights are supposed to protect and promote within society.
- Some corporations have been accused of instrumentalizing their charitable contributions as a branding tool, where philanthropy serves more to enhance their public image than to genuinely address the needs of the communities they purport to help.
