Abstraction to the Semantic Parable
Abstraction to the Semantic Parable
The best possible ways of communicating is by giving broad overviews as well as solid concrete statements. Hayakawa describes the Abstraction ladder to be a good way to process something from the most concrete to the most abstract. Hayakawa describes the Abstraction ladder to be one of the most effective ways of communicating. The Semantic Parable is a good example to show how Abstraction can be a simple way for individuals to realize the right or wrong in making decisions.
Hayakawa describes the Abstraction Ladder to give humans the ability to achieve the levels of reasoning. From Hayakawa’s perspective, the ladder should be understood in ascending order. Hayakawa gives an example of a cow named “Bessie”. The concept began with something very specific like Bessie; and then ended on a broad note with a discussion of wealth and livestock which is in a more general sense. The main goal in the ladder of abstraction is for the very first concept to create interest that would lead to a complete analysis of the general concept.
Level one of the Abstraction Ladder is the most concrete out of all the levels. Level one is where humans tend to be involved in the most concrete and/or factual happenings. The middle levels of the ladder store things which are not entirely concrete, and also not entirely abstract. These middle levels of the ladder provide the answers to the question of Level one. “After Level one abstraction, Bessie is just known as a cow; but once the middle levels of the abstraction ladder begin to turn up, all the answers to the questions asked about “Bessie” begin to show up. The middle levels show the type of attributes and features an object has. Hayakawa says “The word Bessie is the name we give to the object of perception of level two (86).” Hayakawa is saying that in order to establish a concrete and abstract method, there needs to be a middle level to give more description of what it is that is being
The best possible ways of communicating is by giving broad overviews as well as solid concrete statements. Hayakawa describes the Abstraction ladder to be a good way to process something from the most concrete to the most abstract. Hayakawa describes the Abstraction ladder to be one of the most effective ways of communicating. The Semantic Parable is a good example to show how Abstraction can be a simple way for individuals to realize the right or wrong in making decisions.
Hayakawa describes the Abstraction Ladder to give humans the ability to achieve the levels of reasoning. From Hayakawa’s perspective, the ladder should be understood in ascending order. Hayakawa gives an example of a cow named “Bessie”. The concept began with something very specific like Bessie; and then ended on a broad note with a discussion of wealth and livestock which is in a more general sense. The main goal in the ladder of abstraction is for the very first concept to create interest that would lead to a complete analysis of the general concept.
Level one of the Abstraction Ladder is the most concrete out of all the levels. Level one is where humans tend to be involved in the most concrete and/or factual happenings. The middle levels of the ladder store things which are not entirely concrete, and also not entirely abstract. These middle levels of the ladder provide the answers to the question of Level one. “After Level one abstraction, Bessie is just known as a cow; but once the middle levels of the abstraction ladder begin to turn up, all the answers to the questions asked about “Bessie” begin to show up. The middle levels show the type of attributes and features an object has. Hayakawa says “The word Bessie is the name we give to the object of perception of level two (86).” Hayakawa is saying that in order to establish a concrete and abstract method, there needs to be a middle level to give more description of what it is that is being
Cited: Hyakawa, S.I., Hayakawa, Alan. Language in Thought and Action. San Diego: Harcourt, 1991. Print.