Conceptual Analysis - Essay Example

Conceptual Analysis Pictures of concepts, sub concepts, or even complex ideas can be extremely helpful. Ideas may be represented in diagrams forms. There is numerous diagramming techniques and process flowchart is among them. Conceptual analysis may be used to analyse visual images basing on the fact that there are concepts behind visual images. In his novel “Centennial”, James Michener creates a concept about Canada and Old Canada Land. This essay will discuss flowchart diagramming technique, how conceptual analysis may be used to analyse visual image and concept of Canada and the Old Canadian Lands. Diagram 1 Diagramming Techniques Conceptual graphs (CGs) are methods of representing knowledge. Diagram one show a flowchart. The methods were used by John Sowa to represent conceptual schemas that are used in databases systems. He later used them for a wide range of topics in computer science, artificial intelligence, and cognitive science. Diagrammatic techniques entail diagrammatic reasoning, which is done by means of visual representations. In studying diagrammatic reasoning, one is concerned with understanding concepts and ideas that are visualised using diagrams and imageries instead of algebraic or linguistic forms (Sowa, 1984). Use of diagram has become popular. Some of the diagramming techniques include System or process flow charts, Cause and effect diagram, and influence diagrams. Diagrams are being used as supplements and have, to some extent, substituted everyday products of symbolic reasoning and natural language. Conceptual graphs are widespread across computer science. In diagrams, conceptual graphs are represented in linked circles and boxes. The links are representations of logical associations in the brain but not actual outlines of neural excitations. Logic flow charts are excellent examples of diagramming technique. Mostly, flowcharts focus on decisions. These are types of processes that appear on object diagrams and data-flow. Process or System flow charts are helpful in showing how elements of a system interrelate. In a problem solving and decision making process, the flowchart may be used to analyse the whole process by arranging boxes and circles in logical steps resulting to an object or an outcome. One advantages of using flow charts in their ability to identify superfluous and bottlenecks process (Sowa, 1984). Flow charts can also be used by programmers. Process flowcharts instigated in or were implemented unusually early by, the programming community. Computer scientist used processes flow charts to describe the path, or logic of execution, within an implementing program. Flow chart semantics and symbology are limited to the limited number of fissionable control structures accessible to programmers. Flow charts were established to depict the path of execution within a single process. They do not have the animated power to properly model groups of collaborating processes (Sowa, 1984). The Services Process Flowcharts present the activities one may need to execute to accomplish successful implementation and management of in-service services program. These activities are planned as guides for consideration as one plan their services program. They are designed for a services platform in which the main services contractor will make available all ancillary equipment, human resources, and all facility and space modifications. Many symbols may be used in a flow chart as shown in diagram 2. Diagram 2 and 3 A flowchart can be made useful by adding information beside the boxes. This flowchart in diagram 3 gives an improved description of the process when one knows that the snooze bar gets hit three times, delaying the unavoidable by five minutes each time. As one develops a flow charting skills, he or she should look for indirect consequences and feedback loops. In that way, one will proceed toward System Diagrams, which identify inter-relationships between activities as well to the process flow. By creating a creating a complex process in a team setting, one may facilitates communication, and can build team indulgent. Conceptual Analysis of Visual Images According to Hall (2012), visual arts forms such as drawings, paintings, sculptures and photography may be used as the source of information mentorship. Theory that tries to define signs is called semiotic. Semiotics incorporates graphical, interactive, and textual communication methods. In conceptual analysis, mages can be used to understand complex challenges in all languages. As proved by Hall’s formatting and organisation in the book, “This Means This, This Means That” (Hall, 2012), by arguing that semiotics subsumes graphical, textual and interactive communication methods. He introduces the book by use of words but shifts to using graphical forms such as drawings, flowcharts, tables, and direction trees to show readers what they mean rather tell what they mean. Hall then adds a clear interactive constituent by reversing the typical text-to-graphic flow. First, he presents an image with a question for the reader to ponder; then offers on the next page a primarily textual discussion of possible answers (Hall, 2012). Visual representations have concepts behind them. Since conceptual analysis seeks to identify and analyse concepts behind words usage, it can be used in the identification and analysing of visual representations. It is a human cognitive activity. A visual representation may have multiple meanings. Users, as well as makers of the visual representation, may interpret the image in different ways. The difference in interpretation may be triggered by the difference in experiences and backgrounds. Users may overlook some of the messages that are complex and symbolic and may see more messages that the preparer intended them to see. Reading Hall’s book, readers recognize that the culture education has an impact on how one understand representation in the form of pictorial messages. A picture may take universal meaning, but some images are restricted to a given society (Hall, 2012). Conceptual analysis may be used to analyse a visual representation such as a visual document. A visual document use images or interaction of image and text to communicate. Writers using words choose their words and organise their thoughts established on verbal representations. Just like an author using words think, authors of visual documents think in a similar manner. There is a signifier and a meaning that is signified in conceptual interpretation of visual images. Hall gives a picture painted by Lucas where the apple is used as a signifier to signify temptation (Hall, 2012). In interpreting use of a visual image, there is a signifier and a meaning that is signified. In this painting, Lucas uses an apple as signifier used to signify temptation (Hall, 2012); hence, temptation is signified. Any other fruits could have been used to signify temptation, though Lucas uses an apple. Success of signifier used is based on an existing relationship between signifier and signified (Hall, 2012). There should be, in mind, the relationship between appearance of temptation and apple for it to produced desired results. A single signifier may represent a set of signified. The Concept of Canada and the Old Canadian Lands Travelling among the Indians trading for pelts, Pasquinel is a French trader. No one knows his origin. He is referred to as Courier Be Bois, which means one who runs in the woods. He dressed like an Indian, which made people say that he was an Indian. He tries to try his luck on river Platte, which is a muddy one and with low trees that hindered navigation. He encounters a ruthless tribe called Pawnee leaving in the lands of Canada and which threatens him with the help of three chiefs. He succeeds in befriending the forth chief referred to as Rude Water and convinces him that the king of France must be friends with the Pawnees. At some points, he finds himself shot in the back by a Pawnee arrow; he calmly shoots back with his rifle, slaying two and causing the rest to flee. Powerless to get the arrow out, he continues with the shaft spearing out of his back until he meets the Cheyenne who come to his help but are unable to remove the shaft. They cut off the shaft and Pasquinel proceeds on his expedition as the wound heals with the shaft inside. The remaining part of the arrow is removed after many years, and it frequently pains him all throughout that time. Pasquinel trades jewelleries for pelts and he has a plan to go back to Saint Louis with his haul, but has his craft wrecked up by people of chief Rude Water the tribe (Regoczei. 2014). The novel Centennial by James Michener related the concept of Canada and the Old Canadian Lands. It is a magnificent historical novel of epic extents. It is an account of the interaction of between the people of Canada and the foreigners. The reader gets a concept of white men who are tappers who have come to the region to gratify the demand for beaver fur in European marketplaces. The Canadians are portrayed as hostile people who do not like visitors. The Old Canadian land in unexplored and covered with forest and rivers that are sometimes difficult to navigate. The Canadian land is portrayed as a place that is rich but unexplored such that men like Pasquinel may risk their lives to have a part of the wealth. The chapter shows Canada a place of cultural diversity. In conclusion, flowchart diagramming technique may be used in Services to present activities, programming and decision making in risky process. Conceptual analysis may be used to analyse visual image. An excerpt from James A. Michener novel “Centennial” shows the concept of Canada and Old Canadian land. References Hall, S. (2012). This means this, this means that. London: L. King Pub. Regoczei, S (2014, March). The concept of Canada and the Old Canadian Lands. Lecture. Sowa, J. F. (1984). Conceptual structures. Information processing in mind and machine. Addison-Wesley. Read More