Definition of visual reasoning

• The so called "sense organs" are parts of the brain. Bodies are, in fact, perceptual brains.
  
• Visual reasoning is an analytical method that employs human perception in order to communicate, problem solve and create.
• Drawing is thinking, in the same way (though likely not through the same cognitive means?) writing is thinking.
• According to evolutionary epistemology, biological adaptations are one form of knowledge, and science is another; both are produced by the processes of blind variation and selective retention (Campbell 1975 [in American Psychologist¸ 30, 1103-26]).

Uses of visual reasoning

• Problem solving; examples include engineers who sketch a solution on the back of an envelope.
• Visualizing the behavior of complex systems over time.
• Metaphor.
• Education, especially for interdisciplinary and critical studies
  

Neglect of visual reasoning

• Visual reasoning is, well, visual; if there are different perceptual-epistemological domains -- different ways of knowing, as in visual and verbal -- then neglect of visual reasoning is a violation of civil rights.
  
• One of the problems we've noticed is that visual reasoning appears to be dominated by engineers and architects. Even designers, who think visually for a living, rarely analyze what it is they do in ways that would enable others to use their techniques. Exceptions abound, of course; consider the example of Edward Tufte.
  
• While scientists use visualization technologies (pencils, computers) all the time, rarely is the art of scientific visualization investigated scientifically. Rather, the knowledge that could contribute to a pedagogy of visual reasoning is locked in separate "silos," at best, or left completely untheorized (graphical skills are a talent). In other words, graphic artists may work for scientists but scientists rarely work for graphic artists--or the graphic arts.

The Perceptual Economy

• We see things all the time we don't believe, and accept as truth images we know are lying.