The Knowledge Engineering Review - Vol. 28:3 - Biologists’ Use of Diagrams in Biological Reasoning

Oct 26, 2026

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Biologists rely on diagrams as visual representations within research, experiment planning, model-building, and key communication in textbooks and publications. Despite extensive discussion of diagrams’ scientific roles, scholarship has often focused on their surface identification rather than a foundational theory of diagrams as representations. This paper characterizes three distinct figure types previously treated as diagrams, showing representational features that clarify how these figures support different forms of biological reasoning.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Beyond simplicity: what diagrams have in common

The Knowledge Engineering Review, Vol. 28:3, 273–286 . & Cambridge University Press, 2013 doi:10.1017/S0269888913000246 First published online 30 July 2013 Diagrams in biology LA URA P ERI NI Department of Philosophy, Pomona College, 551 N. College Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, USA Abstract Biologists depend on visual representations, and their use of diagrams has drawn the attention of philosophers, historians, and sociologists interested in understanding how these images are involved in biological reasoning. These studies, however, proceed from identification of diagramson the basis of their spare visual appearance, and do not draw on a foundational theory of the nature of diagrams as representations. This approach has limited the extent to which we understand how these diagrams are involved in biological reasoning. In this paper, I characterize three different kinds of figures among those previously identified as diagrams. The features that make these figures distinctive as representational types, furthermore, illuminate the ways in which they are involved in biological reasoning. 1 Introduction Judging by their frequent use, diagrams are important tools for biologists. They are used during the process of research, as biologists plan experiments with flow charts, and draw models to represent hypotheses for consideration. Diagrams are also frequent components of biologists’key communication venues: they often appear in textbooks and research publications. There are now several studies available that address the use of diagrams in biology 1. Griesemer (1991), for example, asks whether—and why—diagrams might be necessary for science. Others have discussed diagrams used to convey metaphors and facilitate analogical reasoning (Taylor & Blum, 1991b; Ruse, 1996)2. Lynch (1988), Maienschein (1991), and Abraham (2003) are all concerned with the use of diagrams to convey theoretical content. Gilbert (1991) argues that Waddington presented genetic data in a diagrammatic format typical of embryology in an attempt to synthesize the two fields. This sample of papers suggests that diagrams play diverse roles in biological reasoning. We do not, however, understand what it is about diagrammatic representation that allows them to play these roles. Larkin and Simon (1987) compare linguistic and diagrammatic representation and show that while some diagrams are informationally equivalent to linguistic descriptions, this does not imply computational equivalence. Diagrams can be more efficient platforms for drawing inferences than informationally equivalent linguistic representations. Comparison between linguistic and diagrammatic representations, however, is limited in the extent to which it can clarify why biologists would use diagrams in biology. Biologists communicate with a variety of non-diagrammatic forms of visual representations, so understanding why biologists use diagrams requires understanding 1 See the collections edited by Taylor and Blum (1991) and Baigrie (1996) . 2 Going beyond biology, Nersessian (1992) presents a valuable discussion of Clerk Maxwell’s use of analogical diagrams and their role in conceptual change. 274 L . PERI NI why they choose diagrams over non-diagrammatic visual representations3. Furthermore, since biologists typically use multiple kinds of representations when they communicate, understanding the role of a diagram often depends on analyzing the other representations involved; the most important ones to consider are often other kinds of visual representations. For these reasons, understanding what makes diagrams distinctive as representations is essential for understanding what roles they play in biological reasoning, and how they do so. In this paper, I characterize representational features of diagrams. Analysis of the relation between the forms and contents of diagrams will show there is significant diversity among the diagrams used by biologists, and that the features that distin

FAQs

Why are diagrams important to biologists according to the paper?

Diagrams are used during research planning, such as when biologists plan experiments with flow charts and draw models for hypotheses. They also appear frequently in textbooks and research publications as communication tools.

What limitation does the paper identify in prior studies of diagrams in biology?

Prior studies often proceed by identifying diagrams based on their visual appearance and do not draw on a foundational theory of what diagrams are as representations. This limits understanding of how diagrams contribute to biological reasoning.

What is the main contribution of the paper?

The paper characterizes three different kinds of figures previously identified as diagrams, and explains how representational features distinguish these types and illuminate their roles in biological reasoning.

Oct 26, 2026

Upload by Rhys