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Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Visualizing Visual Adaptation
Published on: April 24, 2017
Successful visual epistemic representation
1Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh, United States.
Abstract:
In this paper, I characterize visual epistemic representations as concrete two- or three-dimensional tools for conveying information about aspects of their target systems or phenomena of interest. I outline two features of successful visual epistemic representation: that the vehicle of representation contain sufficiently accurate information about the phenomenon of interest for the user's purpose, and that it convey this information to the user in a manner that makes it readily available to her. I argue that actual epistemic representation may involve tradeoffs between these features and is successful to the extent that they are present.
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