> From [Middle English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_English "w:Middle English") _[abstract](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/abstract#Middle_English)_, borrowed from [Latin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin "w:Latin") _[abstractus](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/abstractus#Latin "abstractus")_, perfect passive participle of _[abstrahō](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/abstraho#Latin "abstraho")_ (“draw away”), formed from _[abs-](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/abs-#Latin "abs-")_ (“away”) + _[trahō](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/traho#Latin "traho")_ (“to pull, draw”). The verbal sense is first attested in 1542.
see [[inductive bias]] and [[human inductive bias]] for *how* we generalize / draw abstractions;
# [[pedagogy]]
when teaching, climb the [[ladder of abstraction]].
start with a detailed, concrete [[archetype]] that is easy for the student to anchor to in their minds:
want to reason by [[metaphor|analogy]].
don't jump straight into high-level [[abstract]] notions,
providing lots of "dangling concepts" all at once.
# conversely
to understand someone's claim,
go **down** the ladder of abstraction, not up
- easier to talk about big abstract things; these claims aren't really solid or concrete since going up the ladder *removes* information (details)
- see [[motte and bailey]]
# sources
> [!cite] sources
> [specificity sequence pt 2](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/pFvZXFWbtvKvGiACJ/how-specificity-works)
>
> [replace symbol with substance](https://www.lesswrong.com/lw/nv/replace_the_symbol_with_the_substance/)
[The Power to Teach Concepts Better](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/CD2kRisJcdBRLhrC5/the-power-to-teach-concepts-better)
> [!example] post's example:
> "a new way for boat owners to easily rent a dock" (attaches "new", "easy", that's about it)
>
> vs "AirBnb for boat docks" (attaches everything associated with AirBnb: customer/provider interactions, customer experience, etc)
might lead to longer description, but this is totally worth it for the clearer explanation
> [!cite] https://gowers.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/my-favourite-pedagogical-principle-examples-first/