Single Idea 18535

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 3. Metaphysical Systems]

Full Idea

A capacity for abstraction is central to our capacity to think about the universe systematically.

Gist of Idea

Without abstraction we couldn't think systematically

Source

John Heil (The Universe as We Find It [2012], 09.7)

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'The Universe as We Find It' [OUP 2012], p.195


A Reaction

This strikes me as obvious. We pick out the similarities, and then discuss them, as separate from their bearers. We explain why things have features in common. Some would just say systematic thinking needs universals, but that's less good.