Objectification is the process by which an abstract concept is made as objective as possible in the purest sense of the term. It is also treated as if it is a concrete thing or physical object. In this sense the term is a synonym to reification.
This term is also used to describe the treatment of a human being as a thing, disregarding his/her personality or sentience. Philosopher Martha Nussbaum[1] has argued that something is objectified if any of the following factors is present:
- Instrumentality – if the thing is treated as a tool for one's own purposes;
- Denial of autonomy – if the thing is treated as if lacking in agency or self-determination;
- Inertness – if the thing is treated as if lacking in agency;
- Ownership – if the thing is treated as if owned by another;
- Fungibility – if the thing is treated as if interchangeable;
- Violability – if the thing is treated as if permissible to damage or destroy;
- denial of subjectivity – if the thing is treated as if there is no need to show concern for the 'object's' feelings and experiences.
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