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definition of abstract thinking

This entry is made up of two concepts, thought and abstract. To understand their joint meaning, one must start from what each one of them means. Thought is the mental activity from which we elaborate ideas. Ideas allow us to solve problems, make decisions or give our opinion. There is no one way to create thoughts. In this sense, there is inductive, deductive, analytical or creative thinking.

On the other hand, abstract comes from the verb abstraer, which means to take something out of something, to separate something from something. This means that in the act of abstracting our mind sets something apart. In this way, from various blue objects we abstract or get the idea of ​​blue, from various circular things we abstract the concept of a circle, and from kind behaviors we obtain the idea of ​​goodness.

The fundamental idea of ​​abstract thought from philosophy and psychology

The mental process by which we get ideas from concrete things is the fundamental idea of ​​abstract thought. This process has been analyzed from two perspectives, the philosophical and the psychological.

Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle reflected on abstract thought. Plato showed that mathematics is based on this type of thinking, since mathematical concepts are elaborations of the intellect obtained by the mind itself without the need for experience (mathematical truths do not require an empirical demonstration).

For Aristotle, abstract thinking is based on the mental operation by which reason captures the essence of something

Reflections on the nature of abstract thought have continued with empiricist approaches (abstraction is based on the observation of reality) or with rationalistic approaches (the capacity for abstraction is a mental faculty independent of experience).

From the point of view of psychology, abstract thinking is the result of the mental evolution of individuals. It is from approximately 11 years when people handle abstract thinking or reasoning. Some currents of psychology consider that the key to abstract thought is found in the role of language and others maintain that the fundamental element is neural activity.

The practical dimension of abstract thinking

Apart from philosophical or psychological theories, the knowledge of abstract thought is related to very concrete questions. Thus, through certain tests or psychotechnical tests it is possible to determine if a child has an elaborate abstract reasoning or if he or she needs some type of reinforcement.

Exercises with abstract reasoning are also used to activate the mind in cases of cerebral accidents or to slow down mental deterioration. Abstract thinking is present in all kinds of situations (when we mentally calculate a discount, when we want to give a definition of something or when we try to solve a crossword puzzle).

Photos: iStock - PeopleImages / gradyreese

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