Abstract Entity
An Abstract Entity is an Entity that does not have a Physical Location (exists as an Abstract Element rather than a Physical Entity).
- AKA: Abstracta, Non-Physical Entity, Conceptual Entity.
- Context:
- It can enable Abstract Existence through mental representations and symbolic forms.
- It can maintain Abstract Identity through defining characteristics and conceptual boundaries.
- It can persist through Mental Recognition via cognitive processes and thought patterns.
- It can influence Physical Reality through implementations and manifestations.
- It can guide Human Understanding through conceptual frameworks and mental models.
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- It can range from being a Simple Abstract Entity to being a Complex Abstract Entity, depending on its conceptual complexity.
- It can range from being a Domain Abstract Entity to being a Universal Abstract Entity, depending on its scope.
- It can range from being a Cultural Abstract Entity to being a Natural Abstract Entity, depending on its origin.
- It can range from being a Temporary Abstract Entity to being an Eternal Abstract Entity, depending on its temporal nature.
- It can range from being a Personal Abstract Entity to being a Shared Abstract Entity, depending on its social distribution.
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- It can demonstrate Abstract Quality through:
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- Examples:
- Abstract Mathematical Entitys, such as:
- Abstract Number Entitys, such as:
- Abstract Geometric Entitys, such as:
- Abstract Logical Entitys, such as:
- Abstract Conceptual Entitys, such as:
- a Concept.
- a Meme.
- a Fictional Entity such as: “Hamlet” created by Shakespeare; a unicorn; or an angel
- a Geometric Shape such as: a perfect circle or a perfect pentagon.
- a Mathematical Entity, such as a mathematical constant, an abstract graph, and an abstract function.
- a Game Rule, such as a rule of chess or tennis.
- an Experience, such as the experience of redness.
- an Abstract Data Type.
- Abstract Mathematical Entitys, such as:
- Counter-Examples:
- Physical Objects like rocks, which have spatial location.
- Material Entities like atoms, which have physical existence.
- Concrete Objects like buildings, which occupy physical space.
- Natural Objects like trees, which exist in material form.
- Physical Systems like machines, which have physical manifestation.
- See: Entity, Abstract Concept, Abstract Theory, Abstract Property, Mental Entity, Logical Entity, Mathematical Entity, Information Entity, Cultural Entity, Philosophical Entity.
References
2014
- (Wikipedia, 2014) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-physical_entity Retrieved:2014-11-4.
- In ontology and the philosophy of mind, a non-physical entity is a spirit or being that exists outside of physical reality. Their existence divides the philosophical school of physicalism from the schools of idealism and dualism; with the latter schools holding that they can exist and the former holding that they cannot. If one posits that non-physical entities can exist, there exist further debates as to their inherent natures and their position relative to physical entities.
2013
- (Wikipedia, 2013) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstract_and_concrete Retrieved:2013-12-1.
- Abstract and concrete are classifications that denote whether a term describes an object with a physical referent or one with no physical referents. They are most commonly used in philosophy and semantics. Abstract objects are sometimes called abstracta (sing. abstractum) and concrete objects are sometimes called concreta (sing. concretum). An abstract object is an object which does not exist at any particular time or place, but rather exists as a type of thing, i.e. an idea, or abstraction.[1] The term 'abstract object' is said to have been coined by Willard Van Orman Quine. [2] The study of abstract objects is called abstract object theory.
- ↑ Abrams, Meyer Howard; Harpham, Geoffrey Galt (2011). A Glossary of Literary Terms. ISBN 0495898023. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=SUEtEa9nUWQC&pg=PA60#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ↑ Armstrong, D.M. (2010). Sketch for a systematic metaphysics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 2. ISBN 9780199655915.
2009
- (Wikipedia, 2009) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstracta
- In philosophy it is commonly considered that every object is both abstract and concrete and/or neither or both. Abstract objects are sometimes called abstracta (sing. abstractum) and concrete objects are sometimes called concreta (sing. concretum). The abstract-concrete distinction is often introduced and initially understood in terms of paradigmatic examples of objects of each kind:
- http://sigma.ontologyportal.org:4010/sigma/Browse.jsp?lang=EnglishLanguage&kb=SUMO&term=Abstract
- "Properties or qualities as distinguished from any particular embodiment of the properties/ qualities in a physical medium. Instances of Abstract can be said to exist in the same sense as mathematical objects such as sets and relations, but they cannot exist at a particular place and time without some physical encoding or embodiment.”
It can be a "Quantity Attribute SetOrClass Relation Proposition"
- "Properties or qualities as distinguished from any particular embodiment of the properties/ qualities in a physical medium. Instances of Abstract can be said to exist in the same sense as mathematical objects such as sets and relations, but they cannot exist at a particular place and time without some physical encoding or embodiment.”
2008
- (Bach, 2008) ⇒ Kent Bach. (2008). “On Referring and Not Referring.” In: Reference: Interdisciplinary Perspectives.” Jeanette K. Gundel and Nancy Hedberg, editors. Oxford University Press.
- QUOTE: Like it or not, proper names do have non-referential uses, including attribute uses and predicative uses. …
… Consider that in standard first-order logic the role of proper names is play by individual constants and existence is represented by the existential qualifier. … We have to resort to using a formula like '∃x(x=n)', which is to say there exists something identical to n. And, when there is not such thing as [math]\displaystyle{ n }[/math], we can't use the negation of a formula of that form '¬ ∃x(x=n)', to express the truth that there isn't anything to which [math]\displaystyle{ n }[/math] is identical, because standard first-order logic disallows empty names.... Russell had a logical motivation for insisting that a genuine name be one which is (epistemically) guaranteed to have a referent. …
… Even more problematic is the case of negative existentials, and the related problem of empty names. (To assert, for example, that Hamlet does not exist is surely not to assert of Hamlet that he does not exist, mush less to presuppose that he exists. It is possible to argue that Hamlet is a fictional character, specifically an abstract entity created by Shakespeare.
- QUOTE: Like it or not, proper names do have non-referential uses, including attribute uses and predicative uses. …