Difference between revisions of "Reification"
m |
(another meaning) |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
'''Reification''' is the process of giving material form to an abstract concept or idea. It is a common device in [[literature]]; for example, in ''Lord of the Flies'' by [[William Golding]], the boar's head that the boys worship might be said to reify their descent from [[civilization]] into [[barbarism]]. Reification can also take place in [[politics]] and [[law]], as social mores and [[taboo]]s are given tangible enforcement: for example, [[South Africa]]'s twentieth century [[apartheit]] laws could be seen as a reification of the [[racism]] ingrained in that country's society at the time. | '''Reification''' is the process of giving material form to an abstract concept or idea. It is a common device in [[literature]]; for example, in ''Lord of the Flies'' by [[William Golding]], the boar's head that the boys worship might be said to reify their descent from [[civilization]] into [[barbarism]]. Reification can also take place in [[politics]] and [[law]], as social mores and [[taboo]]s are given tangible enforcement: for example, [[South Africa]]'s twentieth century [[apartheit]] laws could be seen as a reification of the [[racism]] ingrained in that country's society at the time. | ||
| + | ==As a logical fallacy== | ||
| + | The '''[[logical fallacy|fallacy]] of reification''', also known as '''concretism''' and the '''fallacy of misplaced concreteness''', arises when abstractions are treated as actually existing entities. It often involves treating abstractions as more real than the human beings associated with them. For example, [[liberal]] [[collectivism|collectivists]] argue that [[society]], [[identity politics|identity groups]], and [[family|families]] are existent entities with rights superior to the rights of the people in them. | ||
[[Category:Literary Devices]] | [[Category:Literary Devices]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Logical Fallacies]] | ||
[[Category:Psychology]] | [[Category:Psychology]] | ||
Revision as of 22:28, May 7, 2013
- See also: Reification (programming)
Reification is the process of giving material form to an abstract concept or idea. It is a common device in literature; for example, in Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the boar's head that the boys worship might be said to reify their descent from civilization into barbarism. Reification can also take place in politics and law, as social mores and taboos are given tangible enforcement: for example, South Africa's twentieth century apartheit laws could be seen as a reification of the racism ingrained in that country's society at the time.
As a logical fallacy
The fallacy of reification, also known as concretism and the fallacy of misplaced concreteness, arises when abstractions are treated as actually existing entities. It often involves treating abstractions as more real than the human beings associated with them. For example, liberal collectivists argue that society, identity groups, and families are existent entities with rights superior to the rights of the people in them.