Reification
cfran who-is-at micron.net
Mon, 16 Sep 96 07:07 MDT
I have a general question related to my interpretations of the notion of
reification. The simple but basic definition seems to be the making of
something that is abstract concrete. However, how did the abstraction become
abstract? I have been thinking (and interpreting E. Wenger's formulation) of
reification as that essential function that converts experience
(participation) into things (memory, tradition, structure, tools,
artifacts). If this is the case then is reification a sort of abduction? A
mechanism for creating representations? A category building function?
Is reification a Vygotskian mediation process? All this? More? I am trying
to find a useful definition here. The concept is beginning to blossom into a
diffuse generality.
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Chris Francovich
Alternative Educational Services
Boise, Idaho
email: cfran who-is-at micron.net
http://netnow.micron.net/~cfran
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