Instrumentalism in Literature & Literary Theory

Instrumentalism: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term: Instrumentalism, derived from the philosophical concept of instrumental reasoning, perceives actions, beliefs, or theories as tools or instruments to attain specific ends or objectives. It prioritizes practical utility over inherent truth or value, emphasizing the effectiveness of ideas or actions in achieving desired outcomes. The term spans across various disciplines, including philosophy, sociology, and psychology, where it denotes the pragmatic use of methods or strategies to achieve particular goals.

Meanings and Concept:

• Pragmatic Orientation: Emphasizes practical considerations and outcomes over theoretical principles.
• Means to an End: Views ideas, beliefs, or actions as instruments to accomplish specific objectives rather than as inherently valuable entities.
• Contextual Flexibility: Allows for adaptability and situational decision-making based on the effectiveness of actions or beliefs within specific contexts.
• Critique of Essentialism: Challenges essentialist views by highlighting the contingent and pragmatic nature of concepts or actions.
• Interdisciplinary Application: Finds application across diverse disciplines, informing problem-solving, decision-making, and social analysis.

Instrumentalism underscores the pragmatic use of actions, beliefs, or theories as means to achieve desired ends, reflecting a flexible and context-dependent approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

Instrumentalism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Instrumentalism, a theoretical concept rooted in pragmatism, views ideas, beliefs, or actions as tools utilized to achieve specific practical goals rather than as inherently valuable in themselves. It emphasizes the effectiveness and utility of methods or strategies in attaining desired outcomes within particular contexts, prioritizing practical considerations over theoretical principles. Instrumentalism often critiques essentialist perspectives by highlighting the contingent and context-dependent nature of concepts or actions.

Instrumentalism: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Theorists:

1. John Dewey: Dewey, a prominent figure in pragmatist philosophy, advocated for instrumentalism in his works such as “Experience and Nature” and “Logic: The Theory of Inquiry.” He argued that knowledge and beliefs should be judged based on their practical consequences and usefulness in achieving desired outcomes.
2. William James: Another key figure in pragmatism, James contributed to instrumentalist ideas in his essays and lectures, including “Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking.” He emphasized the practical consequences and utility of beliefs, arguing that their value lies in their ability to guide action and solve problems.
3. Richard Rorty: Rorty, a contemporary philosopher, further developed instrumentalist ideas in his works like “Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature” and “Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity.” He criticized traditional philosophical concerns with truth and representation, advocating for a more pragmatic and instrumentalist approach to philosophy.

Works:

1. Experience and Nature by John Dewey (1925)
2. Logic: The Theory of Inquiry by John Dewey (1938)
3. Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James (1907)
4. Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature by Richard Rorty (1979)
5. Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity by Richard Rorty (1989)

Arguments:

1. Dewey: Dewey argued that knowledge should be evaluated based on its practical consequences and effectiveness in guiding action. He emphasized the importance of experimentation and adaptation in achieving desired outcomes, rejecting fixed and dogmatic theories in favor of flexible and pragmatic approaches.
2. James: James contended that beliefs should be judged based on their practical utility and effectiveness in solving problems. He emphasized the role of beliefs as guides for action, suggesting that their value lies in their ability to facilitate successful interactions with the environment.
3. Rorty: Rorty criticized traditional philosophical concerns with truth and representation, advocating for a shift towards a more pragmatic and instrumentalist approach. He argued that philosophical theories should be judged based on their usefulness in achieving human goals and aspirations, rather than their correspondence to an objective reality.

Instrumentalism: Major Characteristics

• Pragmatic Orientation: Instrumentalism emphasizes practical considerations and outcomes over theoretical or abstract principles, focusing on the effectiveness of actions or beliefs in achieving desired goals.
• Means to an End: Ideas, beliefs, or actions are viewed as tools or instruments to achieve specific objectives rather than as ends in themselves. The value of concepts lies in their usefulness in achieving desired outcomes.
• Contextual Flexibility: Instrumentalism allows for adaptability and context-dependent decision-making, where the appropriateness of actions or beliefs is determined by their effectiveness in particular situations.
• Critique of Essentialism: Instrumentalism often critiques essentialist or absolutist views, which attribute inherent value or truth to concepts or actions. Instead, it emphasizes the contingent and pragmatic nature of beliefs and practices.

Literary References:

• In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the pigs’ manipulation of the other animals and distortion of revolutionary ideals to maintain their power exemplifies instrumentalism, where principles are used as tools for personal gain rather than ends in themselves.
• The character of Iago in William Shakespeare’s Othello embodies instrumentalism as he manipulates others’ beliefs and emotions to achieve his selfish desires, viewing them as means to his ends rather than as valuable in themselves.
• In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov’s justification of murder as a means to achieve a higher purpose reflects instrumentalist thinking, where moral principles are overridden by pragmatic considerations of achieving his goals.
• In Albert Camus’s The Stranger, Meursault’s detached and indifferent attitude towards societal norms and moral values illustrates instrumentalism, where he prioritizes his immediate desires and experiences over abstract moral principles.

Instrumentalism: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Instrumentalism
Marxist Criticism	Marxist criticism may analyze how characters or institutions instrumentalize ideology to maintain or challenge power dynamics.
Formalism	Formalism may explore how literary elements are manipulated as instruments to convey specific themes or evoke particular effects.
Postcolonial Criticism	Postcolonial criticism may examine how colonial powers instrumentalize language and culture to assert dominance over colonized peoples.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Psychoanalytic criticism may analyze how characters employ defense mechanisms as instruments to cope with internal conflicts or trauma.
Reader-Response Criticism	Reader-response criticism may consider how readers instrumentally interpret texts to fulfill personal desires or validate preexisting beliefs.

Instrumentalism offers a lens through which various literary theories can analyze the manipulation of literary elements, ideologies, and characters for specific ends or objectives, reflecting the pragmatic and context-dependent nature of literary interpretation and production.

Instrumentalism: Application in Critiques

1. 1984 by George Orwell:
   • Application: In Orwell’s dystopian novel, the totalitarian regime of Oceania instrumentalizes language through the manipulation of Newspeak to control thought and suppress dissent. The Party uses propaganda and surveillance as instruments of power to maintain its authoritarian rule, emphasizing the pragmatic use of ideology to subjugate the populace.
2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
   • Application: Fitzgerald’s novel explores how characters instrumentalize wealth and status as means to achieve their desires and aspirations. Jay Gatsby’s extravagant parties and accumulation of wealth serve as instruments to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, highlighting the pursuit of the American Dream as a pragmatic endeavor.
3. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad:
   • Application: Conrad’s novella delves into the instrumentalization of imperialism as a means of exploitation and domination in colonial Africa. The character of Kurtz represents the extreme consequences of instrumentalism, as he becomes consumed by the pursuit of power and profit at the expense of indigenous peoples and morality.
4. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley:
   • Application: Huxley’s dystopian society illustrates the instrumentalization of technology and conditioning to maintain social stability and control. The World State employs genetic engineering, drug use, and psychological conditioning as instruments to suppress individuality and maintain societal conformity, reflecting the pragmatic manipulation of human behavior for utilitarian ends.

In each of these literary works, instrumentalism is critiqued through the manipulation of various elements such as language, wealth, power, and technology, highlighting the pragmatic and context-dependent nature of human endeavors and societal structures.

Instrumentalism: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Utilitarianism	Maximizing utility or happiness through pragmatic means.
Pragmatism	Valuing practical consequences over abstract principles.
Positivism	Deriving knowledge from observable facts and empirical evidence.
Functionalism	Examining how social institutions maintain stability and order.
Rationalism	Emphasizing reason and logic as sources of knowledge and truth.
Behaviorism	Focusing on observable behavior and external stimuli in psychology.
Utilizationism	Emphasizing practical use or application of ideas or resources.
Realpolitik	Prioritizing practical considerations over moral principles in politics.
Pragmaticism	Emphasizing practical consequences and meaning of concepts in practice.
Consequentialism	Evaluating actions based on outcomes rather than intentions in ethics.

Instrumentalism: Suggested Readings

1. Dewey, John. Experience and Nature. Dover Publications, 1958.
2. James, William. Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking. Dover Publications, 1995.
3. Rorty, Richard. Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature. Princeton University Press, 1979.
4. Quine, W.V.O. Word and Object. MIT Press, 2013.
5. Bernstein, Richard J. Beyond Objectivism and Relativism: Science, Hermeneutics, and Praxis. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1985.
6. Hacking, Ian. Representing and Intervening: Introductory Topics in the Philosophy of Natural Science. Cambridge University Press, 1983.
7. Haack, Susan. Manifesto of a Passionate Moderate: Unfashionable Essays. University of Chicago Press, 2000.
8. Sellars, Wilfrid. Science, Perception, and Reality. Routledge, 1963.
9. Putnam, Hilary. Pragmatism: An Open Question. Wiley-Blackwell, 1995.
10. Skinner, B.F. Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Hackett Publishing Company, 2002.