Instrumentalism differs from character traits by requiring an object to act upon

Evidence

Instrumentalism, unlike prudence, caution, cowardliness, and much else of the like, is transitive and inherently transgressive, thereby presupposing an object of transgression. And because it is a structure of thought, instrumentalism not only uses people and things as instruments, but also devises the necessary instruments to exercise its transgression on the object. — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism, 396

If I am cautious, then I cannot be uncautious, no matter who and what I am dealing with, for this is my nature, irrespective of the particular circumstances. Instrumentalism, however, consists of the same element of a habituated disposition but it differs from such a trio in that it presupposes an object, one that, in order to manifest itself, is essential for the habituated quality in the process of projecting itself onto the object. — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism, 396

Categorization

• DEFINE: Wael Hallaq defines instrumentalism by contrast: unlike caution or prudence, it is transitive and always requires an object on which to be exercised.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism: A Critique of…, 396
• XREF: connects to: The for-whom does not break the instrumental chain of for-whats — Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness: An Essay on…, 619; Instrumentarian power governs through inducement and reinforcement rather than overt coercion — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 1629