What is the relationship of concepts to existents? To what precisely do concepts refer in reality?
There is no such problem in regard to percepts; a percept is a direct awareness of an existing entity; a process of observation. But a concept involves a process of abstraction leading to a generalization and a theory, and there are no abstractions in reality. In order to validate man’s use of concepts, one must answer these questions. Otherwise, he leaves man’s rational conclusions, on any subject, unrelated to reality and vulnerable to every form of attack, from mystics and skeptics alike. The mystics hold that the referents of concepts exist not in this world, but in a Platonic heaven; hence, they claim, revelation is superior to science. The skeptics hold that concepts have no objective basis in any world, but are arbitrary and subjective. The followers of these schools, wo are legion, do not hesitate to voice their disdain for the process of thought. I mean the mentalities who hear a rational argument, then shrug in reply: “That’s only abstractions; come down to earth” – or: “That
