The answer used to seem obvious enough: a beautiful building was one that realized certain abstract ideals of symmetry, proportion and harmony.

It was also an abstract ideal of a racial elite (see Racism).

In some cases the "Nordic" concept became an almost abstract ideal rather than a mere racial category.

But the unity evoked by the fair's architecture was more than an abstract cultural ideal.

As with most practical ventures, doing something for the sake of abstract ideals is usually not a good idea.

And always in America, abstract ideals are converted too easily to cold, hard cash.

You have committed heinous crimes in the name of an abstract ideal.

In a flash, greater integration ceased to be some abstract ideal.

He made up as the abstract or platonic ideal of an anarchist.