Defining the meaning of an important term in critiquing social policy.
October 10, 2004
Dialetic of Irrationality Revisted: A simple explanation of my Dialetic of Irrationality.
Human Reason v. Rationality: Thinking beyond the limits of rational scientific pursuit.
Humanistic Alternative to Irrationality: Considering the best way to look at the world.
What is Dialectic?: Exploring the dialectic method of looking at conflicting forces.
I frequently use this term in explaining social phenomena, but I have yet to propose my own definition of instrumentalism. Below is my operational definition of instrumentalism:
Instrumentalism is the process of using instrumental reason to implement a policy choice. It is the process of taking an action based on the ends and not fully considering the impact of the means. Such thought particularly downplays the irrational aspects of a problem, such as human feelings or environmental degradation. Instrumentalism is most prevalent in cultures of fear, or when bureaucratic culture isolates process from reality.
Impact on Social Policy. Instrumentalism is the breakdown of the policy making process, often creating damaging and destructive actions in search of an end.
Impact of this Defination. If people realized the danger of instrumentalism, then they could act in such a way that would reduce the impact of fear and bureaucratic isolationism.
Instrumentalist. Used to describe people and ideas who fail to realize all the ramifications of a policy choice. Label always has a negative impact on application, but demonstrates the need to think beyond the box.
Contemporary Examples. There are many contemporary examples of instrumentalism in public policy. I list a few:
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