Reification

Reification is the error of treating an abstract concept, idea, or something that is not concrete, as if it were a concrete, tangible object. While reification is common and often acceptable in everyday language and literature, using it in logical reasoning or rhetoric can be misleading and is usually considered a fallacy.

Examples of Reification:

1. "A computer is like a brain. It can make intuitive leaps as well."
   • This example mistakenly attributes human-like intuition to computers, which do not possess such abstract capabilities.
2. "The Boston Matrix tells us that our product range has a cash cow, two question marks, and a dog. We should remove one question mark and the dog."
   • Here, the Boston Matrix, a conceptual business tool, is treated as if it could actively communicate and make decisions.
3. "Alan is a god amongst men. He will know you better than you know yourself. He will be able to heal you with a single touch."
   • This statement reifies Alan as a deity with supernatural abilities, which is an exaggerated and concrete representation of his qualities.

In logical reasoning and rhetoric, reification can distort the truth and lead to faulty conclusions. It’s important to distinguish between metaphorical language and precise, factual statements to avoid this fallacy.