Visual Reasoning in Science, Engineering, and the Humanities

Introduction

This book investigates visualization practices conceptually, historically, and strategically, showing what visual thinking can achieve especially in professional training and educational contexts.

Historical Context

For a long time, science and education were dominated by the word. What mattered were written texts, mathematical formulae, and verbalizations. And yet, similes, metaphors, illustrations, diagrams, and geometric demonstrations were always involved.

Role of Visual Thinking

Engineering and design thinking established the virtues of visual thinking. A blue-print or schematic representation can be investigated for dependencies and cause-effect relations.

Recent Developments

In recent decades, a better understanding of visual thinking opened the door for tools and techniques especially in educational contexts.