Objectivism 101 Concept Chart Metaphysics Epistemology Philosophy Objectivity Logic Reason Knowledge Standard Of Evaluation Perception Concepts Definitions Words Emotions Integration Values Certainty Deduction Induction/Abstraction Focus Evasion Context Fundamentals Knowledge is Hierarchical The Arbitrary Ethics Politics Esthetics Discuss Epistemology

Induction/Abstraction

Induction is the mental process of taking particular facts or instances and generalizing them to form new ideas. It is also called abstraction. The process omits particular details of the instances, and integrates based on a criteria or set of criteria. A yellow pen, a blue pen, and a red pen can all be integrated under the criteria of being a pen. The colors are omitted, since they don't have relevance. A black book, a black sofa, and a black telephone can be integrated under the criteria of being black. The other aspects of each object's nature is omitted.