abstractly

Think of a sculptor working with clay—they start with something concrete, but envision the final form abstractly in their mind before it exists physically. To think or express something abstractly means to deal with ideas, qualities, or concepts rather than specific details or concrete examples. It's about understanding things on a higher level, beyond what you can see or touch. You might understand justice abstractly—as a concept of fairness—without being able to point to it in every situation.

The word comes from "abstract," meaning existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical existence. So, when you think abstractly, you are stepping away from the concrete world and into the realm of ideas. A mathematician might solve a problem abstractly using formulas, without needing to visualize real-world objects.

To do or understand something abstractly means to deal with it in terms of general qualities or concepts rather than specific details or instances. It's about thinking beyond the concrete and focusing on underlying principles, ideas, or theories. For example: "She understood the concept of freedom abstractly, but struggled to apply it to her own life." This suggests she grasped the idea of freedom as a principle but found it difficult to see how it played out in practical terms.

Abstractly often contrasts with concretely. While something concrete is tangible and specific (like a red apple), something abstract is intangible and general (like the idea of nutrition).

You might say someone thinks abstractly if they are good at seeing patterns, making generalizations, or dealing with complex ideas. Philosophers and mathematicians often work abstractly, building theories based on logic and reason rather than observation. Artists can also express themselves abstractly, using shapes, colors, and forms to convey emotions or ideas without representing recognizable objects.

The adverb abstractly is used to modify verbs, describing how something is done or understood. It can be a more formal way of saying "in theory," "conceptually," or "without specific details."

So, if you are dealing with ideas, principles, and concepts rather than tangible things, you are thinking, acting, or understanding abstractly.