instrumentalisation

Instrumentalisation, or instrumentalization, is the act or process of treating something as a tool or means to achieve an end, rather than valuing it for its own sake. It involves ascribing instrumental value to entities such as people, groups, technologies, information, or events. Ethically and philosophically, instrumentalisation is often discussed as the reduction of a subject to a resource for others’ purposes, which can undermine autonomy and dignity.

In moral philosophy, discussions are often linked to the idea that persons should not be treated merely as means to others’ ends. Debates consider when instrumental use is permissible, such as with informed consent or when coordination requires shared ends, and when it becomes morally problematic by denying agency or treating individuals as mere instruments.

In politics, sociology, and media studies, instrumentalisation describes the deployment of one domain to serve another: political actors may instrumentalise religion, nationalism, or crises to mobilize support; media and public discourse may instrumentalise data or emotion to influence opinions; organizations may instrumentalise expertise and labor to achieve strategic goals.

In social research and technology, instrumentalisation can refer to shaping technologies, information systems, or research agendas to fit policy or economic ends, sometimes at the expense of user autonomy or social values. Critics warn that widespread instrumentalisation risks manipulation, depersonalization, and the erosion of intrinsic values, whereas defenders argue that instrumental use can be efficient, legitimate, and necessary in complex coordination.