Single Idea 9611

[catalogued under 18. Thought / E. Abstraction / 1. Abstract Thought]

Full Idea

The current usage of 'abstract' simply means outside space and time, not concrete, not physical.

Gist of Idea

'Abstract' nowadays means outside space and time, not concrete, not physical

Source

James Robert Brown (Philosophy of Mathematics [1999], Ch. 2)

Book Reference

Brown,James Robert: 'Philosophy of Mathematics' [Routledge 2002], p.12


A Reaction

This is in contrast to Idea 9609 (the older notion of being abstracted). It seems odd that our ancestors had a theory about where such ideas came from, but modern thinkers have no theory at all. Blame Frege for that.

Related Idea

Idea 9609 The older sense of 'abstract' is where 'redness' or 'group' is abstracted from particulars [Brown,JR]