On the Ladder of Abstraction: About Houses and Structures

We may view words and phrases as abstract to different degrees. Words and phrases can be placed on a metaphorical ladder of abstraction. The higher on the ladder the less certain we are what we are talking about. In the following chain of steps—‘1. means of transportation 2. vehicle 3. passenger car 4. VW 5. id3 6. my id3’—at step 1 we know the least what we are talking about and at step 6 we know the most. Using highly abstract language may be misleading and dangerous, but also helpful in some situations. Politicians tend to use highly abstract language, and for different reasons.