Esineellisyys

Esineellisyys, often translated as reification, is a concept originating in Marxist philosophy that describes the process by which abstract concepts, social relations, or human qualities are treated as if they were concrete objects or things. It involves the alienation of human labor and social interactions, making them appear as commodities with inherent value, separate from the human beings who created them. This can lead to people being perceived and treated as objects rather than as active subjects with agency.

In Marxist theory, commodity fetishism is a specific form of esineellisyys where the social relations of production between people are obscured and appear instead as relations between things, namely commodities. The market and its exchange values become seemingly autonomous forces that dictate social life, masking the underlying human labor and social structures. This phenomenon can affect not only economic relations but also social and cultural spheres, leading to a dehumanized experience of the world.

The concept has been further developed and applied by thinkers such as Georg Lukács and later by critical theorists. It critiques how social reality can become objectified, making it difficult to recognize and challenge the underlying social and power dynamics. Understanding esineellisyys involves recognizing how human creations and social processes can take on an independent, thing-like existence that shapes human perception and interaction.