Reification

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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.


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