Neuroimaging. How to Question Scientific Images and Their Artistic Value

Abstract

Unquestionable holders of aesthetic content, images have a well-known role even in conveying scientific knowledge. In the present work, we focus on the epis-temological role of images within neuroscience. We first analyze the concepts of repre-sentation, similarity, and informativeness. Second, we discuss relevant case studies, i.e., images by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and how the pictorial interventions commonly applied to them might have an impact on their informational content. Finally, we explore the notion of imagination as a relevant faculty for modelling neuroscientif-ic theories and the concept of creativity as an instrument to aesthetically modify brain images. These manipulations enable images to achieve the scientific purpose, altering the relation of similarity between the image and the studied phenomenon. In conclu-sion, this process leads to rethinking the role of the neuroscientist as an active observer.