abstractions
Ideas without form
Abstractions are concepts removed from concrete reality—ideas distilled from specific instances into general principles.
In philosophy and mathematics, abstraction means stripping away particulars to find underlying patterns: Justice and beauty are abstractions.
In computing, abstractions hide complexity behind simpler interfaces.
The word often carries a faint criticism—that something is too theoretical, too far from practical concerns: His proposal was full of abstractions but short on specifics.
Mental creations or plans
- notionsFleeting mental impressions
- conceptsAbstract mental constructs
- theoriesExplanations based on evidence
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
ideals · constructs · frameworks · models · schemas · paradigms · archetypes · categories
Philosophy of existence's nature
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- phenomenologyStudy of subjective experience
- existentialismPhilosophy stressing self-created meaning
idealism · realism · rationalism · empiricism · dialectic · dualism · monism · pluralism
Delicate beyond earthly measure
- immaterialLacking physical form; unimportant
- incorporealNot made of matter
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
- nonphysicalNot of matter
metaphysical · invisible · unseen · impalpable · formless · amorphous · nebulous · weightless
Testable proposed explanation
- theoremDemonstrated logical conclusion
- axiomSelf-evident starting principle
- postulateAssumed starting point
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
theory · conjecture · proof · formula · equation · calculus · algorithm · mathematics
Intricate passage network
- mazePuzzle of passages
- intricacyState of elaborate complexity
- multifacetedHaving many dimensions
- layeredHaving multiple levels
nonlinear · recursive · fractal · network · interconnected · nuanced · convoluted · elaborate
ideas
Mental creations or plans
- notionsFleeting mental impressions
- conceptsAbstract mental constructs
- theoriesExplanations based on evidence
principles · ideals · constructs · frameworks · models · schemas · paradigms · archetypes · categories · classes
metaphysics
Philosophy of existence's nature
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- phenomenologyStudy of subjective experience
existentialism · idealism · realism · rationalism · empiricism · dialectic · dualism · monism · pluralism · nominalism
ethereal
Delicate beyond earthly measure
- immaterialLacking physical form; unimportant
- incorporealNot made of matter
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
nonphysical · metaphysical · invisible · unseen · impalpable · formless · amorphous · nebulous · weightless · bodiless
hypothesis
Testable proposed explanation
- theoremDemonstrated logical conclusion
- axiomSelf-evident starting principle
- postulateAssumed starting point
model · theory · conjecture · proof · formula · equation · calculus · algorithm · mathematics · physics
labyrinth
Intricate passage network
- mazePuzzle of passages
- intricacyState of elaborate complexity
- multifacetedHaving many dimensions
layered · nonlinear · recursive · fractal · network · interconnected · nuanced · convoluted · elaborate · sophistication
- frameworksframework, frameworks, schema, schemas, schemata
- Abstractsconcepts, ideas, properties, qualities, relations
- modular designmodularity, modules, components, encapsulation, decoupling
- inner lifeidentity, feelings, memory, thoughts, self-discovery
- mysteriesmystery, enigma, enigmas, puzzle, riddle
- sayingssayings, saying, proverb, proverbs, adage
abstractionstangibles
Objects with physical existence
concretions · material things · realities · actualities · substances
abstractionsconcentrations
Measures of substance density
attentions · instantiations · embodiments · materializations · realizations
- lyrical abstractionExpressive, non-representational painting movement
- hardware abstractionLayer hiding physical components