Good and evil are abstractions

Question

abstraction2. the process of formulating generalized ideas or concepts by extracting common qualities from specific examples3. an idea or concept formulated in this way good and evil are abstractions[Collins English Dictionary]HiCould you please tell me what the bold part means? It would be understandable if it were 'good and evil are opposite of each other'. "good and evil are abstractions", abstractions of what?Please guide me. Thanks.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

The basic meaning is that 'good' and 'evil' are ideas. They exist only in our thoughts.

Compare 'a table', which exists in reality.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thanks, Clive.

abstract (adj)
1 a : disassociated from any specific instance an abstract entity* b : difficult to understand : ABSTRUSE *abstract problems* c : insufficiently factual : FORMAL *possessed only an abstract right
2 : expressing a quality apart from an object *the word poem is concrete, poetry is abstract*
3 a : dealing with a subject in its abstract aspects : THEORETICAL abstract science b : IMPERSONAL, DETACHED *the abstract compassion of a surgeon — Time*
4 : having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content abstract painting
[M-W's Col. Dic.]

impersonal
1 a : denoting the verbal action of an unspecified agent and hence used with no expressed subject (as methinks) or with a merely formal subject (as rained in it rained) b of a pronoun : INDEFINITE
2 a : having no personal reference or connection impersonal criticism b : not engaging the human personality or emotions the machine as compared with the hand tool is an impersonal agency — John Dewey c : not existing as a person : not having human qualities or characteristics
[M-W's Col. Dic.]

"the word poem is concrete, poetry is abstract" - Perhaps poem is concrete because you can hold it in your hand but you have create some subjective meaning of the poetry which is abstract.

the abstract compassion of a surgeon — Time - If it does not involve human personality or emotons, then how can even there be some compassion. Compassion doesn't require emotions.

"having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content abstract painting" - Personally speaking I have always failed to find anything worth to be called 'art' in abstract paintings. If there is no attempt at pictorial representation or/and narrative then what would I get out of it.

It would be very kind of you if you could help me with this. I appreciate your help.

Regards
Jackson

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Your comments seem to indicate that you already have useful and thoughtful ideas about this word.

It might help if you consider the Latin roots of the word.
trahere - draw, in the sense of extract, eg he drew a conclusion from the facts.
ab - from

The idea of 'abstract' is that you look at reality and extract from it or draw from it an idea or concept.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

CliveHi,Your comments seem to indicate that you already have useful and thoughtful ideas about this word.It might help if you consider the Latin roots of the word.trahere - draw, in the sense of extract, eg he drew a conclusion from the facts.ab - fromThe idea of 'abstract' is that you look at reality and extract from it or draw from it an idea or concept.Clive

Thank you, Clive. Sorry, I wasn't able to understand it fully, especially the material quoted below. Would you please comment on it? Thanks.

the abstract compassion of a surgeon — Time - If it does not involve human personality or emotons, then how can even there be some compassion. Compassion doesn't require emotions.

"having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content abstract painting" - Personally speaking I have always failed to find anything worth to be called 'art' in abstract paintings. If there is no attempt at pictorial representation or/and narrative then what would I get out of it.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

the abstract compassion of a surgeon — Time - If it does not involve human personality or emotons, then how can even there be some compassion. Compassion doesn't require emotions.
Yes, a bit hard to understand. Perhps it means that surgeons feel compassion, but in a remote way that makes them feel only loosely concerned with the person they are cutting. I think the writer wrote the phrase to puzzle th reader deliberately.

"having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content abstract painting" - Personally speaking I have always failed to find anything worth to be called 'art' in abstract paintings. If there is no attempt at pictorial representation or/and narrative then what would I get out of it. Other people have other opinions about abstract art.

Clive

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Jackson6612"having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content abstract painting"

The revolution in artistic expression deviating from pure realism began with the impressionists in the 1860s. The impressionists' works did not receive critical acclaim in their own time - they were largely ridiculed and disparaged. Consider Vincent van Gogh, who only sold a single painting in his lifetime. Now his art rarely comes on the market and commands incredible prices. The same is true for the earlier impressionists.
Impressionism was followed by post-impressionisn, cubism, dadism, fauvism, abstract impressionism, and other movements. These styles were the reaction of human artistic and creative expression in the context of the times - photography, motion pictures, television, and world war.
As in all eras, some art is compelling, and will live long beyond its creator, other will be lost in obscurity. I find great abstract art to be intriguing, moving, engaging and meaningful, even though it has no readily apparent narrative.

Good and evil are abstractions

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