reification Definition
- 1the act of treating something abstract as if it were a real object
- 2the process of making something concrete or tangible
Using reification: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "reification" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The reification of emotions in literature is a common technique.
Example
The philosopher criticized the reification of abstract concepts.
Example
The artist's work explores the reification of memory.
Example
The reification of social constructs can lead to harmful stereotypes.
reification Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for reification
Phrases with reification
the error of treating an abstraction as if it were a concrete, real thing
Example
The reification fallacy is a common mistake in philosophical arguments.
the process by which human labor is transformed into a commodity that can be bought and sold
Example
Marx's theory of the reification of labor argues that capitalism alienates workers from the products of their labor.
the process by which nature is transformed into a commodity that can be exploited for profit
Example
The reification of nature has led to environmental destruction and climate change.
Origins of reification
from Latin 'res' meaning 'thing' and 'facere' meaning 'to make'
Summary: reification in Brief
The term 'reification' [ˌriːɪfɪˈkeɪʃən] refers to the act of treating something abstract as if it were a real object, or the process of making something concrete or tangible. It is often used in discussions of philosophy, literature, and art, as well as in critiques of social constructs. Examples include the reification of emotions in literature, the reification of labor in Marxist theory, and the reification of nature in environmentalism.
