The English language is rich in abstract terms.

Abstract terms, however, often come to have a multitude of different meanings to different people. This can lead to confusion and disagreement when people try to communicate complex ideas using these terms.

As we have noted, an abstraction is best understood (and defined) when compared to an opposite.

Consider the abstraction, "truth". Note that this term immediately lends itself to an obvious intellectual opposite. That which is "true" is the opposite of that which is "not true", which we also refer to as "false".

"Truth", however, not only relates to facts or physcical realities. The word "truth" is also used to signify an accurate and honest recitation of facts.

For example, it is "true" that you are reading these words. It would also be a "truth" if I told someone that you were reading these words, if you were indeed reading them as I recited that fact! (If you were no longer reading these words, my saying that you were (at this moment) would not be a "truth", even if you read these words prior to, or after, I told someone you were reading them.)