Set of graphic symbols for visual modeling in social-humanitarian knowledge

Abstract

The paper raises and discusses the research problem of knowledge visualization. It is stated that the scientific knowledge knows a lot of visual languages that allow us to describe and transmit knowledge, stimulate the cognitive process and provide it with a sufficiently high level of formalizing. However, as mentioned in the paper, the availability of visual languages in social and humanitarian knowledge is currently insufficient, which is due to the fact that there are no general and rich in content visual languages describing social and humanitarian processes. The paper considers the theoretical basis of the author’s proposed solution to the previously posed problem of deficit of available visual languages. The author notes that visual epistemology should be one of theoretical statements of research into the uses of visual languages. Another significant theoretical basis suggested for solving the problem are the ideas of functional asymmetry of the human brain, considered in the context of so-called computer metaphor. The third theoretical basis of the solution embraces the concepts of visual language, visual modeling, and visual model. The author proposes the set of graphic symbols, the basic elements of which are two signs – the sign of the object and the sign of the relationship between objects. Furthermore, the author proposes additional signs for indicate various types of links and relations between objects. The paper states that in addition to cognitive functions, visual modeling performs a significant communicative function, as it makes the results of the cognitive process more visible and more convenient for perception. The author emphasizes the variability of visual modeling processes and stresses that these processes largely depend on the aesthetic consciousness of the cognizing subject. Such dependence indicates that epistemology and aesthetics are somehow intertwined in visual modeling. The final part of the paper summarizes the results of the research. The author notes that the set of visual signs as components of the visual language proposed by the author can be successfully used in solving such problems as: systematic description and visual modelling of complex processes and systems, both in social and humanitarian fields and beyond them; modelling, description and analysis of text, discourse, reasoning.