View source for Ad hoc

{{short description|Latin phrase signifying a solution meant to address one specific problem or task}}
{{About|the Latin phrase}}
{{titlelang|la}}
{{Distinguish|A priori and a posteriori}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
'''''Ad hoc''''' is a [[List of Latin phrases|Latin phrase]] meaning literally {{`}}'''for this'''{{`}}. In [[English language|English]], it typically signifies a solution designed for a specific purpose, problem, or task rather than a [[Generalization|generalized]] solution adaptable to collateral instances (compare with ''[[a priori and a posteriori|a priori]]'').

Common examples include ad hoc [[committee]]s and commissions created at the national or international level for a specific task, and the term is often used to describe arbitration (ad hoc arbitration). In other fields, the term could refer to a military unit created under special circumstances (see ''[[task force]]''), a handcrafted [[network protocol]] (e.g., [[ad hoc network]]), a temporary collaboration among geographically-linked franchise locations (of a given national brand) to issue advertising coupons, or a purpose-specific [[equation]] in mathematics or science.

Ad hoc can also function as an adjective describing temporary, provisional, or improvised methods to deal with a particular problem, the tendency of which has given rise to the noun ''[[Adhocracy|adhocism]]''.<ref>American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, 2nd Edition</ref> This concept highlights the flexibility and adaptability often required in problem-solving across various domains.

In everyday language, "ad hoc" is sometimes used informally to describe improvised or makeshift solutions, emphasizing their temporary nature and specific applicability to immediate circumstances.

==Styling==
Style guides disagree on whether Latin phrases like ad hoc should be italicized. The trend is not to use italics.<ref>Yateendra Joshi, " [https://www.editage.com/insights/latin-phrases-in-scientific-writing-italics-or-not Latin phrases in scientific writing: italics or not]", ''editage Insights'', January 14, 2014</ref> For example, ''[[The Chicago Manual of Style]]'' recommends that familiar Latin phrases that are listed in the ''[[Webster's Dictionary]]'', including "ad hoc", not be italicized.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/style-guide/italics |title=Italics |newspaper=The Economist |access-date=2016-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://grammarpartyblog.com/2012/02/23/when-to-italicize-foreign-words-and-phrases/ |title=When to italicize foreign words and phrases |publisher=Grammarpartyblog.com |date=2012-02-23 |access-date=2016-01-06 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140057/https://grammarpartyblog.com/2012/02/23/when-to-italicize-foreign-words-and-phrases/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{unreliable source|date=November 2024|reason=Who is the author, is he an expert in his field and what makes it a reliable source?}}

==Hypothesis==
{{Main|Ad hoc hypothesis}}
In [[science]] and [[philosophy]], ad hoc means the addition of extraneous [[hypothesis|hypotheses]] to a [[theory]] to save it from being [[falsified]]. Ad hoc hypotheses compensate for anomalies not anticipated by the theory in its unmodified form.

Scientists are often [[Scientific skepticism|skeptical]] of [[scientific theories]] that rely on frequent, unsupported adjustments to sustain them. Ad hoc hypotheses are often characteristic of [[pseudoscience|pseudo-scientific]] subjects such as [[homeopathy]].<ref>{{citation |author-last=Carroll |author-first=Robert T. |title=Ad hoc hypothesis |work=[[The Skeptic's Dictionary]] |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |date=2012-02-23 |access-date=2013-05-27 |url=http://skepdic.com/adhoc.html}}</ref>

==In the military==
[[File:Changing of the Guard parade Ottawa.JPG|thumb|The [[Ceremonial Guard (Canada)|Ceremonial Guard]] parading in [[Ottawa]]. The CG is an ad hoc unit of the [[Canadian Forces]].]]
In the military, ad hoc units are created during unpredictable situations, when the cooperation between different units is suddenly needed for fast action, or from remnants of previous units which have been overrun or otherwise whittled down.

==In governance==
In national and sub-national governance, ad hoc bodies may be established to deal with specific problems not easily accommodated by the current structure of governance or to address multi-faceted issues spanning several areas of governance. In the UK and other [[Commonwealth of Nations|commonwealth]] countries, ad hoc [[Royal Commission]]s <ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/258957.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 May 2021|date=27 October 2008|title=Royal commissions }}</ref> may be set up to address specific questions as directed by [[parliament]].

== In diplomacy ==
In diplomacy, diplomats may be appointed by a government as [[Special Envoy|special envoys]], or diplomats who serve on an ad hoc basis due to the possibility that such envoys' offices may either not be retained by a future government or may only exist during the duration of a relevant cause.

==Networking==
{{main|Wireless ad hoc network}}
The term ''ad hoc networking'' typically refers to a system of network elements that combine to form a network requiring little or no planning.

==See also==
* [[Ad hoc testing]]
* ''[[Ad infinitum]]''
* ''[[Ad libitum]]''
* [[Adhocracy]]
* [[Democracy]]
* [[Heuristic]]
* [[House rule]]
* [[Russell's teapot]]
* [[Inductive reasoning]]
* [[Confirmation bias]]
* [[Cherry picking]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{citation |author-last=Rheingold|author-first=Howard. |year=2002 |title=Smart Mobs: the Next Social Revolution |publisher=[[Perseus]]}}

==External links==
* {{Wiktionary-inline|ad hoc|ad hoc}}
[[Category:Latin words and phrases]] <!-- Not sure why this is here: this can either be temporary or pentameter solutions to the aforementioned -->