Final answer:
Abstract concepts are intangible ideas like justice or happiness, while concrete concepts are tangible items like birds or water. They represent different ends of a spectrum of understanding and communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abstract concepts are ideas that cannot be physically touched or observed, such as justice or happiness. They exist in our minds and are often illustrated by using symbolic language and predicates, following the logical structure introduced by philosopher Gottlob Frege. On the contrary, concrete concepts are tangible and can be experienced through our senses, like the types of birds or warm water. These can be described in more detail, enabling the reader or listener to visualize them. The terms abstract and concrete are not inherently contradictory or tautological, they simply represent different ends of a spectrum of how we understand and communicate ideas.
While abstract concepts are essential for conceptual thinking and the organization of experiences, concrete concepts help readers or listeners connect with material by eliciting sensory responses. This distinction is crucial in fields such as literature and arts, where the use of concrete imagery can enhance the immersiveness of the experience, as in the poetry example given with Gary Snyder's 'The Bath'. Philosophers and psychologists have also discussed the role of both abstract and concrete concepts in understanding human cognition and behavior, demonstrating their importance in a wide array of disciplines.