Abstract vs. Conceptual: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Abstract refers to ideas or qualities not linked to concrete objects, while conceptual relates to the formation or understanding of concepts.
Key Differences
Abstract pertains to thoughts or ideas that are not physically tangible or concrete. It often denotes something that is theoretical or not directly associated with practical realities. Conceptual, however, specifically relates to the formation or understanding of concepts and ideas, often within a particular theoretical framework. While abstract ideas can be vague or general, conceptual ideas are typically more structured and related to a specific concept or theory.
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Nov 20, 2023
The term abstract is frequently used in art and philosophy to describe elements that do not represent physical entities but rather ideas, emotions, or qualities. In contrast, conceptual often describes the process of conceptualizing or the principles behind ideas, especially in fields like philosophy, science, and art. Abstract ideas might lack a clear definition, whereas conceptual ideas are usually more defined and focused on the underlying concept.
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Abstract concepts are often universal, not bound to a specific instance or example. They can encompass broad ideas like love, freedom, or beauty. On the other hand, conceptual pertains to the framework or system of thought used to understand and organize these ideas. While abstract ideas are open to interpretation, conceptual frameworks provide a structure for understanding and relating to these ideas.
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In literature and communication, abstract refers to summarizing or expressing the essence of a complex idea or text. In contrast, conceptual often deals with the development or exploration of new concepts, especially as they relate to innovative or theoretical frameworks. An abstract approach might simplify or distill information, whereas a conceptual approach aims to explore or expand upon ideas.
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Nov 20, 2023
Abstract ideas or expressions can be ambiguous, leaving room for multiple interpretations. In comparison, conceptual ideas are often aimed at creating or defining a specific concept, leading to a more focused and deliberate exploration of ideas. Abstract notions are open-ended, but conceptual notions aim to establish a clear understanding or perspective on a particular concept.
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Nov 20, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Pertaining to non-tangible ideas or qualities.
Related to the formation or understanding of concepts.
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Usage in Art
Represents ideas/emotions not physically tangible.
Focuses on the principles or ideas behind the artwork.
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Focus
Universal ideas or qualities.
Specific conceptual frameworks or theories.
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Purpose in Communication
Summarizing or distilling complex ideas.
Exploring or defining new concepts.
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Abstract and Conceptual Definitions
Conceptual
Conceptual involves the principles or ideas underlying a theory or system.
The artist's conceptual work challenges traditional notions of beauty.
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Conceptual
Conceptual refers to ideas or theories used to organize or interpret information.
Conceptual frameworks in sociology help explain social phenomena.
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Conceptual
Conceptual relates to the understanding or formation of ideas and concepts.
His conceptual approach to the problem led to an innovative solution.
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Abstract
Denoting something that is immaterial, conceptual, or nonspecific, as an idea or quality
Abstract words like truth and justice.
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Conceptual
Conceptual emphasizes a focused exploration or definition of a concept.
The course covers conceptual aspects of cognitive psychology.
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Conceptual
Conceptual pertains to the development of new ideas or concepts.
The conceptual design phase is crucial for the project's success.
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Abstract
Having an intellectual and affective artistic content that depends solely on intrinsic form rather than on narrative content or pictorial representation
Abstract painting and sculpture.
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Conceptual
Of or relating to concepts or mental conception
Conceptual discussions that antedated development of the new product.
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Conceptual
Of, or relating to concepts or mental conception.
We defined a conceptual model before designing the real thing.
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Abstract
To take away; remove
Abstract the most important data from a set of records.
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Abstract
To remove without permission; steal
A painting that was abstracted from the museum.
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Conceptual
Being or characterized by concepts or their formation;
Conceptual discussions
The schizophrenic loses ability to abstract or do conceptual thinking
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Abstract
To consider (an idea, for example) as separate from particular examples or objects
Abstract a principle of arrangement from a series of items.
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Abstract
(ăbstrăkt′) To write a summary of; summarize
Abstract a long article in a paragraph.
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Abstract
To create artistic abstractions of (something else, such as a concrete object or another style)
"The Bauhaus Functionalists were ... busy unornamenting and abstracting modern architecture, painting and design" (John Barth).
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Abstract
Something that concentrates in itself the qualities of a larger item, or multiple items.
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Abstract
(medicine) A powdered solid extract of a medicinal substance mixed with lactose.
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Abstract
The theoretical way of looking at things; something that exists only in idealized form.
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Abstract
(real estate) A summary title of the key points detailing a tract of land, for ownership; abstract of title.
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Abstract
Not concrete: conceptual, ideal.
Her new film is an abstract piece, combining elements of magic realism, flashbacks, and animation but with very little in terms of plot construction.
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Abstract
Apart from practice or reality; vague; theoretical; impersonal; not applied.
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Abstract
(grammar) As a noun, denoting a concept or intangible as opposed to an object, place, or person.
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Abstract
Difficult to understand; abstruse; hard to conceptualize.
The politician gave a somewhat abstract answer when asked about their plans to cut spending.
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Abstract
Separately expressing a property or attribute of an object that is considered to be inherent to that object: attributive, ascriptive.
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Abstract
Pertaining comprehensively to, or representing, a class or group of objects, as opposed to any specific object; considered apart from any application to a particular object: general, generic, nonspecific; representational.
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Abstract
(arts) Pertaining to the formal aspect of art, such as the lines, colors, shapes, and the relationships among them.
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Abstract
Free from representational qualities, in particular the non-representational styles of the 20th century.
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Abstract
Being a partial basis for subclasses rather than a complete template for objects.
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Abstract
To conceptualize an ideal subgroup by means of the generalization of an attribute, as follows: by apprehending an attribute inherent to one individual, then separating that attribute and contemplating it by itself, then conceiving of that attribute as a general quality, then despecifying that conceived quality with respect to several or many individuals, and by then ideating a group composed of those individuals perceived to possess said quality.
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Abstract
(transitive) To consider abstractly; to contemplate separately or by itself; to consider theoretically; to look at as a general quality.
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Abstract
(transitive) To draw off (interest or attention).
He was wholly abstracted by other objects.
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Abstract
To produce an abstraction, usually by refactoring existing code. Generally used with "out".
He abstracted out the square root function.
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Abstract
Considered apart from any application to a particular object; separated from matter; existing in the mind only; as, abstract truth, abstract numbers. Hence: ideal; abstruse; difficult.
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Abstract
Expressing a particular property of an object viewed apart from the other properties which constitute it; - opposed to concrete; as, honesty is an abstract word.
A concrete name is a name which stands for a thing; an abstract name which stands for an attribute of a thing. A practice has grown up in more modern times, which, if not introduced by Locke, has gained currency from his example, of applying the expression "abstract name" to all names which are the result of abstraction and generalization, and consequently to all general names, instead of confining it to the names of attributes.
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Abstract
To withdraw; to separate; to take away.
He was incapable of forming any opinion or resolution abstracted from his own prejudices.
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Abstract
To draw off in respect to interest or attention; as, his was wholly abstracted by other objects.
The young stranger had been abstracted and silent.
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Abstract
To separate, as ideas, by the operation of the mind; to consider by itself; to contemplate separately, as a quality or attribute.
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Abstract
To take secretly or dishonestly; to purloin; as, to abstract goods from a parcel, or money from a till.
Von Rosen had quietly abstracted the bearing-reins from the harness.
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Abstract
To separate, as the more volatile or soluble parts of a substance, by distillation or other chemical processes. In this sense extract is now more generally used.
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Abstract
To perform the process of abstraction.
I own myself able to abstract in one sense.
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Abstract
That which comprises or concentrates in itself the essential qualities of a larger thing or of several things. Specifically: A summary or an epitome, as of a treatise or book, or of a statement; a brief.
An abstract of every treatise he had read.
Man, the abstractOf all perfection, which the workmanshipOf Heaven hath modeled.
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Abstract
A state of separation from other things; as, to consider a subject in the abstract, or apart from other associated things.
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Abstract
An abstract term.
The concretes "father" and "son" have, or might have, the abstracts "paternity" and "filiety."
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Abstract
A powdered solid extract of a vegetable substance mixed with sugar of milk in such proportion that one part of the abstract represents two parts of the original substance.
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Abstract
A concept or idea not associated with any specific instance;
He loved her only in the abstract--not in person
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Abstract
Consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
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Abstract
Consider apart from a particular case or instance;
Let's abstract away from this particular example
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Abstract
Existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment;
Abstract words like `truth' and `justice'
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Abstract
Not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature;
A large abstract painting
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Abstract
Dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention;
Abstract reasoning
Abstract science
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Abstract
Abstract pertains to ideas that are theoretical and not physically tangible.
The concept of justice is abstract, varying across cultures and time.
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Nov 20, 2023
Abstract
Abstract refers to summarizing the essence of a complex idea or text.
The abstract of the article provided a concise overview of its content.
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Abstract
Abstract involves expressing qualities or ideas not linked to concrete objects.
Abstract art often focuses on emotional expression rather than realistic depiction.
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Abstract
Abstract denotes ideas or concepts that are not immediately accessible or practical.
Her thesis explored abstract concepts of existential philosophy.
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Abstract
Abstract implies a level of ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations.
The play's abstract themes left the audience pondering its deeper meaning.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does abstract mean?
Abstract refers to non-tangible, theoretical ideas or qualities.
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Nov 20, 2023
How do abstract and conceptual differ in art?
Abstract art focuses on non-representational expression, while conceptual art emphasizes the ideas behind the work.
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Is conceptual always related to abstract ideas?
Not always; conceptual can apply to practical ideas as well.
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Is abstract used in summarizing information?
Yes, abstract often involves distilling the essence of complex ideas.
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Are abstract ideas usually more ambiguous?
Generally, yes. Abstract ideas often allow for multiple interpretations.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can a theory be both abstract and conceptual?
Yes, theories can be abstract in nature and conceptual in their framework.
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Is abstract thought always impractical?
Not necessarily, but it often goes beyond immediate practicalities.
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How is conceptual defined?
Conceptual relates to the formation or understanding of ideas and concepts.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can abstract ideas be conceptual?
Yes, abstract ideas can be part of a conceptual framework.
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Nov 20, 2023
Does conceptual focus on developing new ideas?
Yes, conceptual involves the exploration or creation of new concepts.
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Is abstract thinking important in philosophy?
Yes, abstract thinking is crucial in understanding philosophical concepts.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can conceptual frameworks be applied to abstract concepts?
Yes, conceptual frameworks can organize and interpret abstract concepts.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can a practical problem have a conceptual solution?
Yes, conceptual approaches can solve practical problems.
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Is it easier to define conceptual than abstract ideas?
Often, as conceptual ideas tend to be more structured.
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Nov 20, 2023
Does conceptual involve a specific method of thinking?
Yes, it involves structured thinking focused on concepts and ideas.
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Are all conceptual ideas complex?
Not always, but they are typically more structured than abstract ideas.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can conceptual art be abstract?
Yes, conceptual art can include abstract elements.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can something be abstract but not conceptual?
Yes, some abstract ideas might not be part of a conceptual framework.
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Nov 20, 2023
Do abstract and conceptual both require deep thought?
Generally, yes. Both involve a level of intellectual engagement.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can abstract ideas be quantified?
Typically, no. Abstract ideas are qualitative and not easily measurable.
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Nov 20, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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