Knowledge by image

Abstract

Knowledge begins by miming the real perceived. With hierarchy of iconic representations going from basic images (corporal entities) to mental models more and more abstract but nonetheless iconic. The iconic knowledge is knowledge by profile that means that every image or model makes some aspects of phenomena salient and delete others. As much as the knowledge relies on a fundamental activity of assimilation or comparison, it proceeds necessarily by metaphorization and schematization. Schema is a capital notion that leads to a conception of knowledge as network of schema models embedded into each other, and therefore more or less specifiable. This two “more and less” realizing the knowledge variations according to its degree of systematicity.The problem is to define the articulation between external signs (especially verbal language and physical images) and the images and mental models which we can consider as internal representations or signs.This articulation is not just translation. Thinking and its signs don`t develop and then it will be semiotized. I.e. external signs are not means of communication of internal signs. It is, as J. Goody beautiful expression, an “intelligence technology”, external tools that their use influences the thinking forms and operations.