Event Title
Getting the Picture: Philosophical Issues in Visualization in Mathematics and Science
Location
Hart 211
Start Time
15-5-2008 10:15 AM
End Time
15-5-2008 11:00 AM
Description
In science and mathematics, pictures and diagrams are used to represent information that is too complex to comprehend in its mathematical form. It is also used to help detect patterns, to better understand complex phenomena, and to trigger further discovery. But how do we know we are interpreting these pictures and diagrams correctly? Does use of pictures represent an inferior form of intellectual inquiry? Panel members will present examples from mathematics and physics. There will be philosophical commentary on problems of interpretation and knowledge claims that come from pictures. Following that there will be general group discussion.
Getting the Picture: Philosophical Issues in Visualization in Mathematics and Science
Hart 211
In science and mathematics, pictures and diagrams are used to represent information that is too complex to comprehend in its mathematical form. It is also used to help detect patterns, to better understand complex phenomena, and to trigger further discovery. But how do we know we are interpreting these pictures and diagrams correctly? Does use of pictures represent an inferior form of intellectual inquiry? Panel members will present examples from mathematics and physics. There will be philosophical commentary on problems of interpretation and knowledge claims that come from pictures. Following that there will be general group discussion.
Comments
Moderator: William Devlin