What is the expression for being unwilling to pay a (small) fine rather than spend much more to avoid it? [closed]
The example in my mind is an entire Myth book where the heroes go on a huge adventure trying to recapture a fugitive because they have been deemed "responsible" for its escape. After many hardships, they succeed and, while resting at home, find out that the fine for failure was, like $50.
The point being: figure out what the cost of failure is before spending an infinite amount on success.
For corporations, they are obligated to make a business decision which maximizes net profit; hence paying a $10,000 fine (if they get caught) rather than spend $50,000 cleaning up. They are not evil, just playing the game as we have defined it.
For consumers, it might be paying a little more for an appliance rather than spending lots of time researching the best possible deal, or risking an unknown brand or DIY solution. It is trading extra money for time and assurance.
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What is the name for this trade-off?
Is it the opposite or inverse of perfectionism? Pragmatism?
Solution 1:
I think you are referring to the principle of least effort:
It postulates that animals, people, even well designed machines will naturally choose the path of least resistance or "effort". (Wikipedia)
Concept that an entity, organization, or system tries either to change its environment to suit its needs, or to change itself to suit the demands of the environment - whichever is easier in terms of effort and cost. In other words one either resists or goes with the flow, depending on what one can put in and what it takes. (businessdictionary.com)
Solution 2:
Indulgence is the term for paying a fine to the church to avoid the penance for a sin. The practice has fallen by the wayside, but the term remains.
The wikipedia article describes it as:
"a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins", which may reduce either or both of the penance required after a sin has been forgiven, or after death, the time to be spent in Purgatory.
Solution 3:
If the fine is "small" enough or if you are speaking metaphorically, it might be said to be a "slap on the wrist" (instead of a proper beating).
Definition:
"a small punishment when a more severe punishment is deserved"
Alternatively, if you want to define the action from the agents POV point of view, you might consider WHITEWASH.
to make (something) whiter by painting it with whitewash. : to prevent people from learning the truth about (something ...
This article by the NYTimes uses it thusly
The Mexican government has moved swiftly to whitewash corruption and play down scandals.