User Tools

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
abstraction:hypostatization [17.06.26, 14:15:43] – [Hypostatisation] saschaabstraction:hypostatization [17.06.26, 14:17:39] (current) – sascha
Line 16: Line 16:
   * (Fallacy of) misplaced concreteness   * (Fallacy of) misplaced concreteness
  
-==== Origin of “Hypostatisation” ====+==== Origin of “Hypostatization” ====
  
-The term “hypostatisation” is a direct transfer of the Ancient Greek word <i :grc-Latn>hypóstasis</i> [<span :grc>ὑπόστασις</span>], which literally means “to stand beneath”. It presumably originally referred to “sediment”, i.e. the suspended particles that separate from a liquid when it is left to rest ([[wp>Sedimentation|Sedimentation]]). +The term “hypostatization” is a direct transfer of the Ancient Greek word <i :grc-Latn>hypóstasis</i> [<span :grc>ὑπόστασις</span>], which literally means “to stand beneath”. It presumably originally referred to “sediment”, i.e. the suspended particles that separate from a liquid when it is left to rest ([[wp>Sedimentation|Sedimentation]]). 
  
-The word “substance”, which is derived from Latin, actually also means “standing beneath” and was probably initially a direct translation of the Greek term. //Hypostatisation// can therefore simply be interpreted as “giving something substance”. +The word “substance”, which is derived from Latin, actually also means “standing beneath” and was probably initially a direct translation of the Greek term. //Hypostatization// can therefore simply be interpreted as “giving something substance”. 
  
 <aside info> <aside info>
Line 28: Line 28:
 ==== Reification ==== ==== Reification ====
  
-The alternative term “reification” is actually the more common name for this phenomenon. However, it also has numerous other meanings that are only loosely related to the one discussed here. To avoid confusion, the term “hypostatisation” is preferred here instead. For more information on the various meanings, see: <span maniculus "go to:">[[glossary:reification|Reification]]</span>.+The alternative term “reification” is actually the more common name for this phenomenon. However, it also has numerous other meanings that are only loosely related to the one discussed here. To avoid confusion, the term “hypostatization” is preferred here instead. For more information on the various meanings, see: <span maniculus "go to:">[[glossary:reification|Reification]]</span>.
  
 ===== Description ===== ===== Description =====
Line 58: Line 58:
 In all these cases, the highlighted terms can be interpreted either as referring to the //actors// behind the abstract terms (voters, investors, politicians, scientists, etc.), or as //personifying// these terms – or, indeed, as treating an abstraction as a concrete entity. In all these cases, the highlighted terms can be interpreted either as referring to the //actors// behind the abstract terms (voters, investors, politicians, scientists, etc.), or as //personifying// these terms – or, indeed, as treating an abstraction as a concrete entity.
  
-In the narrower sense, //hypostatisation// therefore specifically refers to the phenomenon whereby something that is essentially abstract is (mis)understood as something that is concrete. This remains true even when the same situation also involves elements of //metonymy// or //personification//.+In the narrower sense, //hypostatization// therefore specifically refers to the phenomenon whereby something that is essentially abstract is (mis)understood as something that is concrete. This remains true even when the same situation also involves elements of //metonymy// or //personification//.
  
 ==== Problematic use ==== ==== Problematic use ====
Line 71: Line 71:
 ==== “Society” ==== ==== “Society” ====
  
-> <u questionable "Hypostatisation of “society”">//Society// is to blame for XYZ.</u>+> <u questionable "Hypostatization of “society”">//Society// is to blame for XYZ.</u>
  
 Everyone has heard statements of this sort, purportedly “socio-critical”, which seek to explain real or perceived shortcomings by referring to the structure and characteristics of “society”. Everyone has heard statements of this sort, purportedly “socio-critical”, which seek to explain real or perceived shortcomings by referring to the structure and characteristics of “society”.

This website uses cookies. By using the website, you agree with storing cookies on your computer. Also, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please leave the website.

More information