Definition: Abstractionists are a group of philosophers who believe that abstract concepts cannot be understood or represented in everyday language, but they exist outside of it in abstract ways. This means that abstract concepts do not have a concrete meaning or interpretation, but rather operate on an invisible level beyond what we can perceive or understand. For example, abstractionists might argue that the idea of "love" is not related to the everyday experience of feeling loved by someone else, even though this concept is often used in everyday language. Rather, they might argue that abstract concepts like love exist outside of our everyday experiences and are rather a conceptualization or idealization. Abstractionists often draw on the work of philosophers such as Ludwig Wittgenstein and John Dewey to support their ideas, arguing that abstract concepts should be treated as if they were purely mental constructs with no concrete meaning. This can lead to a more inclusive and open-minded approach to philosophy and thinking.

abstractionists