Abstraction Quote by John Dewey
“By object is meant some element in the complex whole that is defined in abstraction from the whole of which it is a distinction.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophy Textbook: Experience and Education, 1938
Objects gain meaning when abstracted from the whole, highlighting relational identity.
In simple terms: Objects are defined by their relation to the whole.
Consider context to understand parts.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- design
- education
- software development
- environmental planning
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines an object’s identity?
- How does context shift meaning?
Focusing on parts may ignore emergent properties.