(March 31, 2017 at 8:57 am)SteveII Wrote:(March 30, 2017 at 11:42 pm)ma5t3r0fpupp3t5 Wrote: Actually, abstract refers to that which exists only as thoughts or ideas without being part of external reality. So, when you say abstract objects are mind-independent, you're contradicting yourself.
No, abstract is the opposite of concrete when you are discussing this subject and includes much more than thoughts or ideas. What does "external reality" mean?
Quote:Abstract and concrete (German: abstrakt; konkret)[1] 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.[2] The term 'abstract object' is said to have been coined by Willard Van Orman Quine.[3] The study of abstract objects is called abstract object theory. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstract_and_concrete
External reality is that which exists independent of any mind. If its existence is contingent upon minds capable of conceiving it, then it is abstract. The reference that you posted seems to agree with this.
"Faith is the excuse people give when they have no evidence."
- Matt Dillahunty.
- Matt Dillahunty.
