The Visual Representation of Scientific Knowledge and its Characteristic Epistemic, Heuristic and Communicative Nature

Abstract

This article deals with the nature of the visual representation of knowledge with historical and contemporary examples of the analysis of its defining characteristics as epistemic, heuristic and communicative representation. With this aim along the text we explain the visual material features and their relationship with the elaboration of scientific knowledge. And, finally, we must take into account the status of scientific representation in the complex of contemporary visual culture claiming the urgent need to address this type of particular representation of visuals with greater intensity from its epistemic, heuristic and communicative nature.