Abstract concepts are not just ideas; they are social tools.

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Why is it easier to describe a 'bottle' than 'justice'? While we often view abstract concepts as mere mental shortcuts, research suggests they function differently in our brains and social lives. They aren't just less 'real'—they are fundamentally more interactive, requiring us to lean on others to build meaning.

The distinction between concrete concepts (CCs), like tools or animals, and abstract concepts (ACs), like values or emotions, is often treated as a simple binary. However, modern research suggests they exist in a multidimensional space. CCs are typically 'sensorimotor grounded,' meaning they are tied to the five senses and evoke specific physical features like sound, material, or spatial properties. In contrast, ACs are generally more heterogeneous, less imageable, and more variable across different contexts. They are often acquired later in life through language and social interaction rather than direct perception. Interestingly, not all abstract concepts are created equal. Researchers categorize them into sub-kinds, such as philosophical-spiritual (PS) concepts like 'value,' emotional-mental states (EMSS) like 'anger,' and physical-spatio-temporal-quantitative (PSTQ) concepts like 'mass.' While some ACs evoke inner experiences like emotions or cognitive states, others—like numerical concepts—can actually elicit sensorimotor experiences, such as the mental act of finger counting.

Despite these differences, both CCs and ACs activate sensorimotor areas of the brain, suggesting that our grasp of the 'abstract' is still deeply rooted in our physical existence. The most significant finding lies in how we use these concepts in conversation. Because ACs lack the clear, singular referents of concrete objects, they generate higher levels of uncertainty and require more interactive exchanges. When we discuss abstract ideas, we are more likely to use uncertainty expressions (e.g., "I am not sure") and repeat target words to ensure mutual understanding. This suggests that abstract concepts are not just internal mental constructs; they are social negotiations. We rely on other people to help us acquire, process, and refine the meanings of the things that cannot be touched.

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