How Can Theoretical Cartography Contribute to GIScience: A Philosophy Perspective
Proceedings of the 25th International Cartographic Conference, Paris, France, 03–08 July 2011
Q. Du
“Theory issue behind map and GIS has been always a tough and controversial theme which is critical for them to become sciences in multi-disciplinary circle. To build a theoretical framework for modern Cartography and GIS discipline from different approaches is certainly beneficial to the further development of the two disciplines. Cartography and GIS are relatively separate disciplines; however, they have inherent correlation. By looking back to the development of theoretical Cartography, we can borrow something for on-going GIS theory development effort.
“Philosophy has been evolving for hundred years. Among numerous schools of them it is noted that two main turns have generally taken place, i.e., Epistemological turn from Ontology (or Metaphysics) and Linguistic Turn from Epistemology (Robert Greene,1980, Richard Rorty,1967). The three phases of philosophy development reflect the focus shift from reality itself to its representation both in our mind and language.”
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