The Illusion of Abstraction

Abstract This article constitutes a critique of abstraction as an analytic tool. The argument advances the idea that formalizing practices are indexical; is, way abstractions realized necessarily incorporates features context in which they produced. expression refers to series actions or operations make quantification, rationalization, and standardization possible. Entailed all these procedures is attempt select isolate exemplify specific phenomenon social process, case standardization, stipulate its contours dimensions. These presumed be immanent from start, but fact, formal representations carefully crafted, finely tuned instruments. In order clarify practices, I delineate three phases their construction: conceptual phrase, choice strategy, specification representation. other words, this approach suggests value examining projects crucibles where cultural assumptions practical reasoning condensed into formulae. ideas explored relation use time motion studies employed early socialist Hungary determine new wage system. While decidedly local story, implications analysis much broader. possibility adopting study such algorithmic systems digital databases, suggested. also raises questions about commensurability long-held concepts theory.