Feminists talk about the objectifying of women. It’s usually meant in a sexual context where men are apt to treat women as objects for their own gratification uninterested in them as people. Naturally that’s not appreciated.

That view should take into account the wider objectifying that goes on in the world generally. We probably objectify most people we encounter of a day - the postman, the bus driver, the shop assistant, possibly work colleagues, maybe even friends and family.

Actually, the using of others as instruments for a purpose seems almost endemic the more you think of it. This is so widespread it is actually quite difficult to find an example of what is not objectification of another person at least to some degree given the way that we are each of us locked into our own mental framework.

I think that is a big issue indeed and stabs at the heart of what the essence of true relationship might be and if it is possible at all.