Wiktionary
in the abstract
phr. With reference to theoretical, not practical, considerations.(R:MW3 1976: page=8)
Usage examples of "in the abstract".
Indeed the horrors of that period I am loth to dwell upon, save that it gave me an opportunity of experiencing one of those little touches of kindness which go to prove that after all humanity in the abstract is not quite so bad as it is usually made out to be.