By some accounts, abstractitis leads to far worse things. “If concepts are not clear,” wrote Confucius, “words do not fit.” And consequences follow: “If words do not fit, the day's work cannot be accomplished, morals and art do not flourish. If morals and art do not flourish, punishments are not just. If punishments are not just, the people do not know where to put hand or foot.” Confucius, Analects 13.3. When we descend into abstractitis, more than just our language is afflicted.
