Well, of course, it would be impossible to create an interesting story without *some* abstractions such as revenge, preserving "the conservancy," etc. And what is more abstract than logic, a method of cogitation?

By and large, Vance dislikes mysticism and unthinking fealty to rituals and cant. Most of all, his literary personality is playful, and he enjoys springing these little practical jokes on readers when he whips away the veil from thinking based on mysticism, ideologies, or abstractions.

Like all good story tellers, Vance is a teacher as well as an entertainer.