Principle of abstraction

The principle of abstraction is a grouping principle, whereby a hierarchy is adhered to with higher levels of abstraction placed near the top with more specific concepts underneath.

Example

For the teaching (not personnel) organization of a university the levels of abstraction would go something like this:

University

→ Faculty of Science

— Department of Physics

– Subject: Physics 101

• Topic: Fluid dynamics

— Department of Earth Sciences

— Department of Biology

→ Faculty of Arts

— Department of History

– Subject: Australian History

• Topic: 1850-1854 Victorian Gold rush

— Department of Philosophy

— Department of Literature

→ Faculty of Medicine

— Department of Immunology

— Department of Neurosurgery

— Department of Endocrinology