Abstraction Quote by Michael F.D. Young
““Dialectics, Engestrom states, reverses the direction of conventional logic: instead of seeing 'concrete' phenomena as something sensually palpable and 'abstraction' as a conceptual or mentally constructed process, 'concrete' (things how they are) refers to the systemic interconnectedness of things. In other words, concrete phenomena are the outcome not the starting point of thinking. (Engestrom 1991; my italics)””
About This Quote
Source Book: “Learning in Organizations” by Engestrom, 1991
Concrete phenomena arise from systemic interconnections, reversing traditional logic that treats abstraction as primary.
In simple terms: Systems shape what we see as concrete.
Key Takeaway
Consider underlying systems before conclusions.
Themes
philosophy
systems thinking
epistemology
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- organizational analysis
- educational design
- complex problem solving
Key Concepts
interconnectedness
emergent properties
cognitive frameworks
Questions to Reflect On
- How do hidden structures influence perception?
- Can we reverse this perspective in practice?
A Different Perspective
Systems are not always visible.
![“I'd say that [Louis] Brandeis practiced a kind of a "living originalism," to use the title of Jack Balkin's great book. He said you start with the paradigm case, which in the case of the Fourth Amendment was these general warrants or writs of assistance, but you define it at a level of abstraction…” quote by Jeffrey Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aeb/jeffrey-rosen-13180_abstraction_i-d-say-that-louis-brandeis-practiced-a_73138.jpg)
