What does "exploit" mean? Can there be such a thing in the absence of coercion?

exploit
n.
An act or deed, especially a brilliant or heroic one.
tr.v.
1. To employ to the greatest possible advantage
2. To make use of selfishly or unethically
3. To advertise; promote.
.
coerce
tr.v.
1. To force to act or think in a certain way by use of pressure, threats, or intimidation; compel.
2. To dominate, restrain, or control forcibly
3. To bring about by force or threat
.
You can obviously exploit people (and things)
without using force, or without them even
realizing You are doing it. This word has
negative connotations, but by the definition #1
You can even exploit people (and obviously
items, since they don't mind) without
disadvantaging them.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/machan3.html

Exploit means to make use of meanly or unfairly for one's own advantage.

Coercion means To compel by force, intimidation, or authority, esp. without regard for individual desire or volition

Yes you can exploit with out coercion.

Anybody who steals a tenner out of your wallet has exploited you without coercion.

Of course. You can exploit your own competitive advantage in a game or contest or in business, without in any way being unfair or coercive. If you're stronger than an opponent in an athletic contest, for example, then you should exploit that; it's what the game is about, after all.

You can extend that to a "team", too. A coach who knows where his team can take advantage of another team's weakness would exploit that, and be praised for doing so.

Yes, I think so. You can exploit someone without coercion... all you need is some unfair advantage.

The crooked car salesman exploits the naive young customer by painting the picture that the car is a great deal. He knows the customer is too inexperienced to spot the manipulative tricks. The oil company exploits the native population by offering a few infrastructure improvements which are worth a fraction of the oil value, knowing the natives are too isolated from the world of business to realize they're being stiffed.

The advantage is used without an appropriate respect for fairness, that's exploitation.

The verb form of "exploit" has two main definitions. The first being: to employ to the greatest possible advantage. The second being: to make use of selfishly or unethically. Both might involve coercion but more likely in the second definition. You can exploit your own talents without harming others and there would be no coercion or ethical dilemma about it. 4