Reification

Reification is the process of treating an abstract idea or concept as if it were a concrete, real object. For example, thinking of "justice" as a tangible thing you can hold or manipulate, rather than a complex idea or process. This concept helps in understanding how people sometimes mistake ideas or social constructs for physical realities, which can influence perceptions and actions. Reification often occurs in social and philosophical contexts, highlighting how abstract concepts can be perceived as concrete entities, impacting decision-making and societal views.