Moving from abstract theory to concrete analysis requires adding new concepts

Evidence

Motivation for the purer theory came almost exclusively from preoccupation with (and fascination with) “applied” problems; and the clarification of theoretical ideas was absolutely dependent on an identification of live examples. — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 11 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Theory aims to think concrete objects through their multiple interrelations; Abstract theory is clarified only through concrete applied cases — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 11; Concrete understanding requires adding determinations, not invoking inert background (+8 more)

Related

• Theory aims to think concrete objects through their multiple interrelations (similarity 0.95)
• Mastering a theory’s principles alone does not ensure correct application (similarity 0.89)
• Abstract theory is clarified only through concrete applied cases (similarity 0.88)
• Very general theories guide thinking but resist direct application to specific cases (similarity 0.83)
• Method can fail through either dogmatic generality or atomistic localism (similarity 0.83)
• Sartre abandons several abstract claims when moving to concrete analysis (similarity 0.80)
• Theory is needed to break through deceptive appearances but cannot dictate action (similarity 0.80)
• Dialectical thinking requires abstraction from existing forms to form general concepts. (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Concrete understanding requires adding determinations, not invoking inert background #expands (0.90)
• Reaching the concrete in thought requires successive abstractions that add conditions of existence. #expands (0.90)
• Abstract theory is clarified only through concrete applied cases #corroborates (0.85) — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 11
• Historical change forces theorists to invent new, more concrete concepts #expands (0.80)
• Very general theories guide thinking but resist direct application to specific cases #corroborates (0.75) — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 102
• Mastering a theory’s principles alone does not ensure correct application #corroborates (0.75)