Open AccessNeuroimaging. How to Question Scientific Images and Their Artistic Value
Author(s) -
Alessandro Pigoni,
Davide Coraci,
Emanuele Carlenzi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
jolma
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2723-9640
DOI - 10.30687/jolma/2723-9640/2021/01/009
Subject(s) - creativity , representation (politics) , similarity (geometry) , phenomenon , psychology , neuroimaging , functional magnetic resonance imaging , observer (physics) , focus (optics) , value (mathematics) , epistemology , relation (database) , content (measure theory) , cognitive science , cognitive psychology , computer science , image (mathematics) , artificial intelligence , philosophy , social psychology , neuroscience , politics , physics , mathematical analysis , mathematics , optics , quantum mechanics , database , machine learning , political science , law
Unquestionable holders of aesthetic content, images have a well-known role even in conveying scientific knowledge. In the present work, we focus on the epistemological role of images within neuroscience. We first analyze the concepts of representation, similarity, and informativeness. Second, we discuss relevant case-studies, i.e., images by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and how the pictorial interventions commonly applied on them might have an impact on their informational content. Finally, we explore the notion of imagination as a relevant faculty for modelling neuroscientific 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 conclusion, this process leads to rethinking the role of the neuroscientist as an active observer.