Single Idea 16561

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 3. Abstraction by mind]

Full Idea

Abstractions may be constructed by taking an exemplary case or instance and removing detail.

Gist of Idea

We can abstract by taking an exemplary case and ignoring the detail

Source

Machamer,P/Darden,L/Craver,C (Thinking About Mechanisms [2000], 5.3)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophy of Science' [-], p.16


A Reaction

I love 'removing detail'. That's it. Simple. I think this process is the basis of our whole capacity to formulate abstract concepts. Forget Frege - he's just describing the results of the process. How do we decide what is 'detail'? Essentialism!