In the abstract, which means to consider something in a general or theoretical way, may be substituted with various synonyms depending on the context. Synonyms could include: theoretically, conceptually, ideationally, hypothetically, philosophically, theoretically speaking, in theory, abstractedly, or notionally. These synonyms denote an abstraction or generalization of a topic and imply a separation from specific details or practical considerations. The phrase "in the abstract" is often used in disciplines such as philosophy, sociology, or science. It emphasizes the importance of considering a topic divorced from any specific instance, so as to extract universal truths or patterns.