Visualizing the invisible — Symbols and metaphors in software engineering?

Summary form only given. Symbols and metaphors play a crucial role when we articulate our understanding of the world - be it everyday life, the life or science and technology or the life of religion and theology. How do we choose metaphors? How do we distinguish icons from idols? Do we always understand how symbols and icons work? I will suggest that the experience that theologians have accumulated in the field of hermeneutics is an asset also in the area of science and technology. The critical engagement with the art of interpreting and understanding is necessitated by the potential of scientific concepts to build ideologies as well as by the role that metaphoric processes play - not only in communication with the general public but also in scientific research and self-understanding.