Introduction: Varieties of Iconicity

Abstract

This introduction aims to familiarize readers with basic dimensions of variation among pictorial and diagrammatic representations, as we understand them, in order to serve as a backdrop to the articles in this volume. Instead of trying to canvas the vast range of representational kinds, we focus on a few important axes of difference, and a small handful of illustrative examples. We begin in Section 1 with background: the distinction between pictures and diagrams, the concept of systems of representation, and that of the properties of usage associated with signs. In Section 2 we illustrate these ideas with a case study of diagrammatic representation: the evolution from Euler diagrams to Venn diagrams. Section 3 is correspondingly devoted to pictorial representation, illustrated by the comparison between parallel and linear perspective drawing. We conclude with open questions, and then briefly summarize the articles to follow. Types of IconicityAs early as 1868, Charles S. Peirce distinguished between at least two basic kinds of sign: symbols and icons. 1 As we shall understand these categories, SYMBOLIC 1 We use Peirce's taxonomy as the point of departure for our own, but we don't aspire to exegetical accuracy. In fact, Peirce famously distinguished up to three kinds of sign, including not only symbols and icons, but also indices. To simplify our presentation, we will only discuss the first two. Moreover, in 1868, Peirce used the term "likeness" instead of "icon", but later changed his terminology. V. Giardino ( )

Content and Target in Pictorial Representation

“…On one hand, context determines an operative system of depiction, the pictorial analogue of a language. Systems of depiction play an essential role in associating the geometrical and chromatic surface features of pictures with elements of attributive content (Giardino & Greenberg 2015). 6 On the other, following Kaplan (1968: 197-198) and Lopes (1996: Chapter 5), I assume that a picture's singular content is largely a function of artist intentions, meditated by the causal context in which the picture was created.…”

“…But the general idea is easily illustrated by the case of Picture E: E's target is culled from the actual world; the 20. The definition of geometrical projection at work here will vary by system of depiction; some systems rely on linear perspective projection, others on isometric projection, and so on (Greenberg 2013;Giardino & Greenberg 2015). As a consequence, what counts as visible will also vary with system of depiction.…”

Graphic rules in planning: A critical exploration of normative drawings starting from zoning maps and form-based codes

“… 8. On varieties of iconicity more in general, see also Woods (2010: 86ff), Giardino and Greenberg (2015). …”

‘Chasing’ the Diagram—the Use of Visualizations in Algebraic Reasoning

“…In order to explain the effectiveness of diagrammatic representations in comparison with sentential ones, they evaluated notations in terms of "informational efficiency" and "computational efficiency." The third criterion can be linked to the more general one of "naturalness," as defined in Giardino & Greenberg (2015). According to the authors, a system 16 Dutilth-Novaes (2012, p. 12) distinguishes three ways in which we generally characterize formal languages as abstracting from content, one of which is the formal as de-semantification (the other two being "formal as topic-neutrality" and "formal as abstraction from intentional content").…”

“…In order to explain the effectiveness of diagrammatic representations in comparison with sentential ones, they evaluated notations in terms of "informational efficiency" and "computational efficiency." The third criterion can be linked to the more general one of "naturalness," as defined in Giardino & Greenberg (2015). According to the authors, a system of representation "is more or less natural to the degree to which human nature-including relatively universal aspects of cognition, physiology, social behaviour, and environmental interaction-rather than enculturation, makes that system easy to internalize and use" (Giardino & Greenberg, 2015, p. 8).…”