abstraktes

Abstraktes is a German term commonly used to denote the abstract. It can function as an adjective meaning "abstract" and, in discourse, as a noun phrase such as "das Abstrakte" referring to the realm of abstract ideas or to abstract art itself.

In philosophy, abstraction is the cognitive operation of extracting general properties from particular objects. The result is an abstract concept or class that applies across instances, enabling general reasoning and theory-building. In German usage, "das Abstrakte" can denote this realm of ideas, contrasted with the concrete or the particular.

In art, the term designates non-representational works that emphasize form, color, and texture over recognizable subjects. Abstract art arose in the early 20th century alongside movements such as Expressionism and De Stijl. Important practitioners include Kandinsky, Mondrian, Malevich, and others who sought to express universal aspects of experience through pure visual elements.

In science and mathematics, abstraction creates models by omitting irrelevant details. Abstract objects—numbers, sets, functions—are studied for their intrinsic properties, independent of concrete instantiation.

Today the concept appears in education and everyday language as well, describing thinking that moves from concrete particulars to general rules, or design approaches that prioritize essential form over literal representation. This neutral, cross-disciplinary use reflects the broad reach of abstraction in human knowledge.