What are abstract concepts and what are some examples of it?
What are some examples of abstract concepts? How do you understand such concepts?
Can anyone give me a few examples of concrete thinking vs abstract thinking?
How can I improve my abstract thinking?
Are abstract concepts real?
What is abstract thinking? How is it used in problem solving?
Is there any link between abstract thinking and intelligence?
How is an abstract concept formed in human brain?
Is the concept “abstract” itself abstract?
How do I visualise abstract concepts on a piece of paper?
Definition – Abstract Concept
Abstraction

Tau.Neutrino said:

What are abstract concepts and what are some examples of it?
What are some examples of abstract concepts? How do you understand such concepts?
Can anyone give me a few examples of concrete thinking vs abstract thinking?
How can I improve my abstract thinking?
Are abstract concepts real?
What is abstract thinking? How is it used in problem solving?
Is there any link between abstract thinking and intelligence?
How is an abstract concept formed in human brain?
Is the concept “abstract” itself abstract?
How do I visualise abstract concepts on a piece of paper?
Definition – Abstract Concept
Abstraction

Have read the first five links above. I’m not impressed by any of them. All they do is assign a few words – three, space, door – to the realm of abstract thought.

A better approach would be to realise that the boundary between “concrete” and “abstract” is largely arbitrary, because there are degrees of abstraction, and the arbitrary boundary definition is part of grammar.

So here we come to the arbitrarinees. We feel anger, it has a direct influence on our sensee, but it’s considered an abstract noun. And opposiltely, one of the examples given earlier of an abstract concept was “door” when it’s really concrete.

Here’s another list. Same problem, don’t tell me “sleep” can’t be observed directly in self and others.

This list of adjectives splits them into concrete, abstract literal, and metaphorical.

Then there are concrete and abstract verbs. Wikipedia says the verb ‘fly’ is abstract and the verb ‘flew’ is concrete.

In summry, there are different grades of abstraction, and there are different ways of defining it depending on the different treatment of the senses ascribed to feeling. And also to seeing, we may accept X-rays as concrete even though we can’t see them.

mollwollfumble said:

In summry, there are different grades of abstraction, and there are different ways of defining it depending on the different treatment of the senses ascribed to feeling. And also to seeing, we may accept X-rays as concrete even though we can’t see them.

I’m glad I’m not the only one confused about the abstract concept of abstractness.

mollwollfumble said:

And also to seeing, we may accept X-rays as concrete even though we can’t see them.

X-rays have observable effects, so I have no problem with them being ‘concrete’.

The Rev Dodgson said:

mollwollfumble said:

And also to seeing, we may accept X-rays as concrete even though we can’t see them.

X-rays have observable effects, so I have no problem with them being ‘concrete’.

What observable effects were you thinking of? If you mean “observable by instrument”, then I completely agree.

I see anger as having observable effects as well. And sleep. And “three”.

mollwollfumble said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

mollwollfumble said:

And also to seeing, we may accept X-rays as concrete even though we can’t see them.

X-rays have observable effects, so I have no problem with them being ‘concrete’.

What observable effects were you thinking of? If you mean “observable by instrument”, then I completely agree.

I see anger as having observable effects as well. And sleep. And “three”.

I don’t see a fundamental difference between those observations that can be made with unaided human senses and those that require “instruments’ of some sort, but in the case of x-rays you just need some photographic film and a means of developing it.

I’ll have a think about anger and sleep.

As for “three” I don’t see what observable effects it has. It can be a description of an observable property, as are many adjectives.

Is this the ‘tree falls in the forest’ question in another guise?

a lot more is abstraction than many would think

captain_spalding said:

Is this the ‘tree falls in the forest’ question in another guise?

Don’t think so.

The Rev Dodgson said:

captain_spalding said:

Is this the ‘tree falls in the forest’ question in another guise?

Don’t think so.

Right.

It’s like some songs, perhaps. Certain chords and riffs remind you of others. Makes you wonder about the similarities.

>>We feel anger, it has a direct influence on our sensee, but it’s considered an abstract noun. And opposiltely, one of the examples given earlier of an abstract concept was “door” when it’s really concrete.

anger’s a mental state, it (sensing it or applying the idea relates to feelings, but too anger extends to cognitive force, thought of positively/overlaps determination) involves judgement as an observer (of self or in others).

when is a door no longer a door, if it’s not dooring in a doorway? Does the door to your mind have a door handle? knock knock