Essence of Abstraction

Can abstraction truly be addressed as the simplification or condensation of virtues and thoughts?

Abstraction, in its essence, is a distillation of the complexities of existence into something both purer and more elusive. Yet, as explored in Albert Camus' "The Plague", abstraction is not merely a philosophical exercise but a lived reality, one that permeates the human experience in moments of crisis.

In the novel, abstraction becomes almost a character in itself, a silent force that shapes the lives of the individuals trapped within the quarantined town. The plague, as an embodiment of abstraction, forcing away the familiar, reducing life to its most basic elements—survival, fear, and the relentless passage of time. The townspeople are forced to confront the stark reality of their existence, where the usual distractions and comforts are stripped away, leaving them face to face with the bare bones of their humanity.

For the mothers, abstraction manifests in the form of grief and the ever-present threat of loss. It culminates from the wails of their womb, and their reasoning stems from prospective loss. It's their innate nature —habitual. Their abstraction is born from a place of deep emotional pain, where rationality falters, and the heart takes over, driven by a primal need to protect and preserve.

Rambert’s abstraction, on the other hand, is rooted in his desperation to escape the town, to return to the woman he loves. His frustration with Rieux stems from a belief that the doctor, in his unwavering dedication to his duty, has lost touch with the human side of the struggle, becoming a prisoner of his own principles. Rambert’s accusation that Rieux lives in a world of abstractions challenges the very nature of rational thinking in the face of catastrophe. Is Rieux’s sense of duty a noble virtue, or is it an escape from the emotional turmoil that threatens him?

Rieux himself grapples with this question, wondering if the term “abstraction” truly applies to his actions. Is his commitment to fighting the plague an abstract notion, a detachment from the visceral reality of the suffering around him? Or is it, in fact, the most concrete expression of his humanity? "An element of abstraction, of a divorce from reality." This blur reveals the complexity of human motives and the ways in which we rationalize our actions in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

Rational thinking, then, may indeed be a consequence of abstract circumstances. When faced with situations that defy logic and reason, humans often retreat into abstraction, seeking to impose order on chaos. Yet, as Rieux discovers, when abstraction begins to kill—when it threatens to distance us from the very essence of life—we are compelled to engage with it, to confront the abstract with action, even when that action is fraught with uncertainty and doubt.

Anyways.

This was just an excuse to post this piece:

"The ferocity of Tametomo driving away the smallpox demons" —Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1892)

(Wood-block Print; Ink on Paper)

This Ukiyo-e artwork vividly captures the heroic figure of Minamoto no Tametomo, the renowned Samurai warrior, as he triumphs over the two smallpox gods, a moment rich in mythological grandeur.

The late-Edo novelist Bakin later revived Tametomo’s tale in his work "Yumihari Tsuki," where he reimagined the warrior escaping to Okinawa, avoiding his death. There, Tametomo became a revered ruler, almost a demigod in the eyes of his subjects. He persuaded the demons to leave by extolling the virtues of the island’s people, a testament to his indomitable character.