Quote
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things -- Henri Poincaré
Abstraction or generalization is a basic tactic in mathematics and computer science research. By formulating an argument or placing a concept in ‘proper generality', one not only strengthens results and widens applicability, but one also perceives much more clearly what is truly at stake within the sphere of concepts where the mathematics takes place.
The key to find the ‘right' generality of concepts is to neglect the unnecessary characteristics of them and delve into the core, underlying structures.