Abstraction – A perspective:
When solving a problem the method employed is a “decision made conditioned by the understanding in the light of the knowledge acquired”. Hence the emphasis here is “on the problem to be solved”. The focus is on the current moment, on an object external to the person solving the problem.
Now, if the focus is shifted from the problem to be solved into the “conditioned understanding” of the problem, it is an abstraction. The shift in focus is from a “physical realm” external to the problem solver to an “emotional realm” that is inherent in the person himself. The understanding of the problem is termed as “emotional” because the problem solver brings into play his likes and dislikes in solving the given problem. This is one stage of abstraction.
The second stage of abstraction is the shift in focus from the “emotional realm” to an “intellectual realm” which is the knowledge factor used by the person in understanding the problem.
Abstraction and the Vedas:
The abstraction followed in the Vedas as understood by me is shown in the table below:
