Principlev1
Defer abstraction until you can identify what varies versus
Defer abstraction until you can identify what varies versus what remains invariant across instances — premature abstraction produces vague unusable generalizations.
Why This Is a Principle
Derives from Constructivist Epistemology (knowledge actively constructed), Piagetian Equilibration Through Schema Dynamics (equilibration requires disequilibrium), and Expertise Transforms Perceptual Chunking (expertise changes perception). Fowler's refactoring guidance shows that too-early abstraction obscures rather than clarifies. The principle prescribes waiting for sufficient evidence before generalizing.