In philosophy it is commonly considered that every object is either abstract or concrete. Abstract objects are sometimes called abstracta (sing. abstractum) and concrete objects are sometimes called concreta (sing. concretum). The abstract-concrete distinction is often introduced and initially understood in terms of paradigmatic examples of objects of each kind: For other uses, see Philosophy (disambiguation). ... In philosophy, an object is a thing, an entity, or a being. ...

Look up five in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the concept of justice. ... A trial at the Old Bailey in London as drawn by Thomas Rowlandson and Augustus Pugin for Ackermanns Microcosm of London (1808-11). ... For the specific belief system, see Humanism (life stance). ... This article is about modern humans. ...

Definition

Philosophers disagree over just what makes the items in the first column abstract.

Location

One well-known proposal is that an object is abstract if and only if it lacks a location in space. Thus justice is abstract because it has no spatial location. One potential problem for this proposal is that certain typically abstract objects, like the game of tennis, arguably do have a sort of spatial location (e.g. "Tennis is alive and well in New York City"). Another problem is that some arguably concrete mental objects (e.g. Tim’s pang of concern for his eldest daughter) do not have spatial location.

Causal power

Another popular proposal for drawing the abstract-concrete distinction has it that an object is abstract if it lacks any causal powers. A causal power is an ability to affect something causally. Thus the empty set is abstract because it cannot act on other objects. One problem for this view is that it is not clear exactly what it is to have a causal power. For a more detailed exploration of the abstract-concrete distinction, follow the link below to the Stanford Encyclopedia article.

In philosophy

Abstract objects have often garnered the interest of philosophers because they are taken to raise problems for popular theories. In ontology, abstract objects are considered problematic for physicalism and naturalism. Historically, the most important ontological dispute about abstract objects has been the problem of universals. In epistemology, abstract objects are considered problematic for empiricism. If abstracta lack causal powers or spatial location, how do we know about them? It is hard to say how they can affect our sensory experiences, and yet we seem to agree on a wide range of claims about them. Some, such as Edward Zalta and arguably Plato (in his Theory of Forms), have held that abstract objects constitute the defining subject matter of metaphysics or philosophical inquiry more broadly. To the extent that philosophy is independent of empirical research, and to the extent that empirical questions do not inform questions about abstracta, philosophy would seem specially suited to answering these latter questions. In philosophy, ontology (from the Greek , genitive : of being (part. ... The term physicalism was coined by Otto Neurath, in a series of early 20th century essays on the subject, in which he wrote According to physicalism, the language of physics is the universal language of science and, consequently, any knowledge can be brought back to the statements on the physical... Metaphysical naturalism is any worldview in which nature is all there is and all things supernatural (which stipulatively includes as well as spirits and souls, non-natural values, and universals as they are commonly conceived) do not exist. ... The problem of universals refers to a set of problems that arise when people think about the nature and status of the properties or qualities of objects. ... Theory of knowledge redirects here: for other uses, see theory of knowledge (disambiguation) Epistemology (from Greek επιστήμη - episteme, knowledge + λόγος, logos) or theory of knowledge is a branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge. ... In philosophy generally, empiricism is a theory of knowledge emphasizing the role of experience, especially sensory perception, in the formation of ideas, while discounting the notion of innate ideas. ... Edward N. Zalta is a Senior Research Scholar at the Center for the Study of Language and Information. ... For other uses, see Plato (disambiguation). ... This article is about Platos Forms. ... Plato (left) and Aristotle (right), by Raphael (Stanza della Segnatura, Rome) Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy investigating principles of reality transcending those of any particular science. ...

Concrete and abstract thinking

Piaget uses the terms "concrete" and "formal" to describe the difference types of learning. Concrete thinking involves facts and descriptions about everyday, tangible objects, while abstract (formal operational) thinking involves a mental process. Piaget has several meanings: Jean Piaget - Professor of psychology Piaget SA - A Swiss watch making and jewellery company This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ...

The transition to abstract thinking is not ineviable. About 30% of teenagers naturally make the shift without help. While there are a range of approaches which can help pupils with ordinary learning, to assist with the concrete/abstract transition the learner has to be presented with a problem which cannot be solved without abstract thinking and then be assisted to construct the concept for themselves. Cognitive Acceleration is an intervention specifically designed for this purpose. It has been extensively tested and shown to be effective.

Terminology

Further information: Noun#Concrete nouns and abstract nouns

In language, abstract and concrete objects are often synonymous with concrete nouns and abstract nouns. In English, many abstract nouns are formed by adding noun-forming suffixes ("-ness", "-ity", "-tion") to adjectives or verbs. Examples are "happiness", "circulation" and "serenity". In linguistics, a noun or noun substantive is a lexical category which is defined in terms of how its members combine with other grammatical kinds of expressions. ... In linguistics, a noun or noun substantive is a lexical category which is defined in terms of how its members combine with other grammatical kinds of expressions. ...

See also

• Abstraction
• Abstract structure
• Nominalism
• Object (philosophy)
• Philosophy of mathematics
• Platonic form
• Problem of universals
• Universal (metaphysics)
• Immanuel Kant
• Type-token distinction

This article is about the concept of abstraction in general. ... An abstract structure is a set of laws, properties and relationships that is defined independently of any physical objects. ... In philosophy, nominalism is the theory that abstract terms, general terms, or universals do not represent objective real existents, but are merely names, words, or vocal utterances (flatus vocis). ... In philosophy, an object is a thing, an entity, or a being. ... // Philosophy of mathematics is the branch of philosophy that studies the philosophical assumptions, foundations, and implications of mathematics. ... According to Platonic realism, universals exist in a realm (often so called) that is separate from space and time; one might say that universals have a sort of ghostly or heavenly mode of existence, but, at least in more modern versions of Platonism, such a description is probably more misleading... The problem of universals refers to a set of problems that arise when people think about the nature and status of the properties or qualities of objects. ... Universals (used as a noun) are either properties, relations, or types, but not classes. ... Kant redirects here. ...

External links

• Abstract Objects entry at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Gideon Rosen
• Nominalism, Realism, Conceptualism, from The Catholic Encyclopedia