abstraction
Let an agent explain abstraction as a cognitive process and its role in thought, language, mathematics and computing, support applying abstraction in problem solving and design, and describe research and philosophical accounts.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain abstraction as a cognitive process and its role in thought, language, mathematics and computing, support applying abstraction in problem solving and design, and describe research and philosophical accounts.
The cognitive process of forming general concepts by extracting common features from particular instances and setting aside specific details, as when the idea of a chair is formed from many chairs, and the resulting general ideas; abstraction underlies concept formation, language, mathematics, science and computing, where it names the practice of hiding detail behind general interfaces, and it is studied in psychology, philosophy and cognitive science.
What it is for: Forming general concepts from particulars.
It can be explain the process; describe roles across fields; support applying abstraction; describe research.
Distinguishing features
Concept formation
Detail removal
Levels of abstraction
Cross-field
What it looks like
Not physical; a mental process.
How it is recognised
General concepts from instances
Detail set aside
Generalisation extends claims; idealisation simplifies deliberately
Related models
is a kind of - category
is related to - abstraction by identifying equivalents
is related to - features set aside
is related to - instances abstracted from
In practice
Families and kinds
abstraction in concept formation
abstraction in mathematics
abstraction in computing and design
abstraction in art
levels of abstraction in reasoning
Standards and regulation
No regulation; conventions of each field
Software design principles on abstraction
Failure modes and hazards
Over-abstraction losing relevant detail
Leaky abstractions in computing
Confusing abstraction with vagueness
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.abstraction-tops
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What abstraction is.
Concepts.
Process
The cognitive process.
Process
Process.
- How does the mind form abstract concepts from particulars, according to cognitive science? provenance
- Which sense of abstraction is meant here? boundary
Philosophy
Philosophical accounts.
Philosophy
Philosophy.
- How have philosophers from Aristotle and Locke to modern theorists explained abstraction, with positions attributed? provenance
- Which entry fits a specific philosopher? action
Apply Using abstraction.
Practice.
Problem
Problem solving.
Problem
Problem solving.
- How can abstraction help solve this problem by identifying the essential structure? action
- When does abstraction lose necessary detail? boundary
Computing
Abstraction in computing.
Computing
Computing.
- How is abstraction used in programming, interfaces and system design, and what are leaky abstractions? definition
- Which entry fits software design? action
Fields Abstraction across fields.
Context.
Mathematics
Mathematics and science.
Mathematics
Mathematics.
- How do mathematics and science build on abstraction, from numbers to models? provenance
- Which entry fits mathematical modelling? action
Art
Abstraction in art.
Art
Art.
- What is abstraction in art, and how does it relate to the cognitive sense? provenance
- Which entry fits abstract art? action
Learn Development and teaching.
Education.
Development
Development in children.
Development
Development.
- How does abstract thinking develop in children, according to developmental psychology? provenance
- Which findings are contested? boundary
Teach
Teaching.
Teach
Teaching.
- How can abstraction be taught across subjects? action
- Which misconceptions arise? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Should computing abstraction be a separate entry?
- How should cognitive research be linked?
- How should philosophical sources be linked?