Abstraction Quote by Robert Anton Wilson
“... I have developed, over the years, some sense of the difference between real horseshit that you can step in and Ideal Platonic Horseshit that exists, evidently, only in the contemplation of those who worship such abstractions; and I continue to notice that Natural Law bears an uncanny resemblance to ideal Platonic Horseshit.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Illuminatus! Trilogy, 1975
Distinguishes between tangible nonsense you can encounter and abstract, idealized nonsense that exists only in theory, noting that natural law resembles the latter.
In simple terms: Real nonsense vs idealized nonsense; natural law mirrors abstract ideas.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the difference between practical and theoretical falsehoods.
Themes
critical thinking
philosophy
abstraction
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- scientific theory
- personal belief systems
- legal frameworks
Key Concepts
Platonic idealism
natural law
conceptual analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify when an idea is merely abstract?
- When does natural law become a convenient fiction?
A Different Perspective
Idealized concepts may overlook practical realities.
