--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a word, to perceive an object…" description: "\"In a word, to perceive an object abstractly means not to perceive some aspects of it. It clearly implies selection of some attributes, rejection of oth..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/abraham-maslow-2146_aspect_in-a-word-to-perceive-an-object-abstract_808007.png" --- # In a word, to perceive an object abstractly means not to… ![“In a word, to perceive an object abstractly means not to perceive some aspects of it. It clearly implies selection of some attributes, rejection of other attributes, creation or distortion of still others. We make of it what we wish. We create it.” quote by Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/abraham-maslow-2146_aspect_in-a-word-to-perceive-an-object-abstract_808007.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/abraham-maslow-2146_aspect_in-a-word-to-perceive-an-object-abstract_808007.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/abraham-maslow-2146_aspect_in-a-word-to-perceive-an-object-abstract_808007.png) > “In a word, to perceive an object abstractly means not to perceive some aspects of it. It clearly implies selection of some attributes, rejection of other attributes, creation or distortion of still others. We make of it what we wish. We create it.” [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perceiving abstractly involves selecting certain attributes of an object while ignoring or altering others, shaping reality according to personal intent. **In simple terms:** Seeing abstractly means choosing what to notice and what to ignore. Key Takeaway Be aware of how your focus shapes perception. Themes perception subjectivity creativity cognition Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical insightful When to use this quote - art criticism - design - marketing - personal relationships Key Concepts abstract thinking selective attention constructivism Questions to Reflect On - How does your selective focus influence your decisions? - What aspects might you be overlooking? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aspect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspect/) [Attributes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attributes/) [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [Distortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distortion/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Means Perceive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-perceive-6163652/) [Objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) [Perceive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive/) [Perceive Aspects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive-aspects-6163654/) [Perceive Object](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive-object-658910/) [Rejection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rejection/) [Selection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selection/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) [Word Perceive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-perceive-6163653/) ## Related quotes > [When we perceive any object of a familiar kind, much of what appears subjectively to be immediately given is really derived from past experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/when-we-perceive-any-object-of-a-familiar-kind-much-of-what-appears/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [ The social \[media channel\] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. 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I found there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-parr/i-looked-around-at-what-my-colleagues-were-doing-and-asked-myself/) [Martin Parr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-parr/) > [I have tried every amp, distortion box, gadget etc. that has ever been made since 1967 to present and nothing has sounded like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lukather/i-have-tried-every-amp-distortion-box-gadget-etc-that-has-ever-been/) [Steve Lukather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lukather/) ## More by Abraham Maslow > [It is unfortunate to consider all lawyers as natural Satanists many are just dumb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-maslow/it-is-unfortunate-to-consider-all-lawyers-as-natural-satanists-many/) [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) > [Laugh at what you hold sacred, and still hold it sacred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-maslow/laugh-at-what-you-hold-sacred-and-still-hold-it-sacred/) [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) > [Good psychology should include all the methodological techniques, without having loyalty to one method, one idea, or one person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-maslow/good-psychology-should-include-all-the-methodological-techniques/) [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) > [Well why not a technology of joy, of happiness?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-maslow/well-why-not-a-technology-of-joy-of-happiness/) [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) > [We fear our highest possibilities. 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