Reification: Difference between revisions
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'''Reification''' is a fancy word for the thingification of abstract concepts. It's different from [[objectification]], although the words have similar origins. | '''Reification''' is a fancy word for the thingification of abstract concepts, and useful because it's shorter than that whole phrase, as specialised words tend to be. It's different from the concept of [[objectification]], although the words have similar origins. | ||
It basically means "to make something real". Re (from the root for "real") + ification. | It basically means "to make something real". Re (from the root for "real") + ification. | ||
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Verb form: '''to reify'''. | Verb form: '''to reify'''. | ||
The word has its origins in Marxist theory, so it's important to note how its meaning differs depending on the usage you make of it, and the relevence of its materialist understanding in a feminist context. | The word has its origins in Marxist theory (it's the English translation for the German word ''Verdinglichung''), so it's important to note how its meaning differs depending on the usage you make of it, and the relevence of its materialist understanding in a feminist context. | ||
For instance, you can reify a project by making it real, by making it happen, but you can also reify a project by giving it a value as a thing of its own, and use that reified abstraction to [[alienation|alienate]] people. Which is a dangerous type of behaviour, and often a tool for [[oppression]]. | For instance, you can reify a project by making it real, by making it happen, but you can also reify a project by giving it a value as a thing of its own, and use that reified abstraction to [[alienation|alienate]] people. Which is a dangerous type of behaviour, and often a tool for [[oppression]]. | ||
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[[Category: | [[Category:Feminist issues]] | ||
[[Category:Communications, language, linguistics]] | |||
[[Category:Materialism]] | |||
[[Category:Theory]] | |||
Latest revision as of 06:03, 11 February 2009
Reification is a fancy word for the thingification of abstract concepts, and useful because it's shorter than that whole phrase, as specialised words tend to be. It's different from the concept of objectification, although the words have similar origins.
It basically means "to make something real". Re (from the root for "real") + ification.
Verb form: to reify.
The word has its origins in Marxist theory (it's the English translation for the German word Verdinglichung), so it's important to note how its meaning differs depending on the usage you make of it, and the relevence of its materialist understanding in a feminist context.
For instance, you can reify a project by making it real, by making it happen, but you can also reify a project by giving it a value as a thing of its own, and use that reified abstraction to alienate people. Which is a dangerous type of behaviour, and often a tool for oppression.