Abstract entity

Abstract Entity is a term used in philosophy, mathematics, and computer science to refer to entities that do not have a physical or concrete existence, but rather exist in thought or understanding.

Philosophy

In philosophy, an abstract entity is an entity that does not exist in space or time and which is therefore entirely non-physical and non-empirical. Examples of abstract entities in this sense include numbers, propositions, sets, properties, relations, and so on. Philosophers disagree about the nature of abstract entities, with some arguing that they are Platonic forms, others that they are mental constructs, and still others that they are linguistic or social constructs.

Mathematics

In mathematics, an abstract entity is a mathematical object without any reference to the physical world. This is in contrast to concrete mathematical objects, which can be visualized or physically constructed. Examples of abstract entities in mathematics include numbers, sets, functions, and spaces. The study of abstract entities in mathematics is a major part of abstract algebra and set theory.

Computer Science

In computer science, an abstract entity is a conceptual construct used in the design and analysis of algorithms and data structures. Examples of abstract entities in computer science include abstract data types, abstract machines, and abstract syntax trees. The use of abstract entities in computer science allows for a high level of abstraction, which can simplify the design and analysis of complex systems.

See Also

• Platonism
• Abstract algebra
• Set theory
• Abstract data type
• Abstract machine
• Abstract syntax tree