A variedade dos métodos diagramáticos a partir da perspectiva da silogística

Abstract

This dissertation addresses the features of diagrammatic reasoning from the perspective of syllogistics. With the emergence of modern logic, diagrams where not considered as legitimate elements of decision methods, operating only as illustrative and heuristic tools. More recently there were questioning for what characteristics of diagrammatic methods are distinguished from purely sentential methods and how these distinctive features determine the possible misleading and inaccurate character of diagrams. Exploring this debate within syllogistics, I show that diagrammatic methods are more complex and dynamic systems than they appear for two reasons. On the one hand, diagrammatic systems are distinguished from sentential systems by their semiotic constitution. A diagram uses a spatial relationship to represent some aspect of the logical domain, while sentential systems uses a symbol for represent the same aspect. On the other hand, in order to generate an isomorphic representation with this spatial relation, diagrammatic reasoning involves substantial cognitive and perceptual capabilities that provide advantages for some utilities.