verb
- treating or regarding an abstract concept or quality as if it were a concrete, independent thing or substance
- in theology, to give substance or independent existence to (a divine attribute or principle)
Usage: British spelling (American: hypostasizing); formal, philosophical; present participle of hypostasize
Usage: theological; formal
Examples
- The philosopher criticized the theory for hypostasising abstract concepts like justice and beauty.
- By hypostasising fear, the author transformed it into a character in the narrative.
- Medieval theologians debated whether hypostasising the Holy Spirit was consistent with doctrine.
- The study warns against hypostasising intelligence as a fixed, unchangeable entity.
- Critics argue that the model is hypostasising social forces that are actually fluid and contextual.
- The text examines how language can lead to hypostasising intangible ideas.