What is instrumental violence?

Instrumental violence involves intentionally using another individual as a tool for achieving a specific goal, such as inflicting harm on another person or obtaining a desired outcome. It can be characterized as a calculated act of aggression, where the perpetrator employs violence to achieve their objectives, viewing the victim as a mere instrument or means to an end. Instrumental violence often manifests in situations of conflict, war, or oppressive regimes, where individuals are subjected to violence as a way of asserting control, suppressing dissent, or exerting dominance.