Legal Definitions - reification

Definition: Reification is the process of turning an abstract idea or concept into a physical object or thing.

For example, when we talk about love, we are referring to an abstract concept that cannot be seen or touched. However, when we give someone a heart-shaped object as a symbol of our love, we are reifying the concept of love into a physical object.

Reification can also refer to the legal process of identifying a disputed object in a non-personal action and giving it a legal status. For instance, in a property dispute, the court may reify the disputed property by giving it a legal status and jurisdictional purpose.

Another example of reification is in commercial law, where a right to payment can be embodied in a writing, such as a negotiable instrument. This means that when the writing is transferred, the right to payment is also transferred.

Example: When we talk about democracy, we are referring to an abstract concept of a political system where people have a say in how they are governed. However, when we hold an election and people cast their votes, we are reifying the concept of democracy into a physical action.

Explanation: The example illustrates how an abstract concept like democracy can be turned into a physical action, such as voting. This is an example of reification because the abstract concept is being given a physical form.