The work of French cartographer J. Bertin is multifaceted and is now well-recognized in the field of infographics. His discussion of graphical representation is not limited to the pursuit of clarity of content and immediacy of communication in graphical representation, but also includes heuristic and abductive ways of thinking. However, until now, discussions in the field of cartography have mainly focused on the technical aspects of graphical representation and the examination of heuristic and abductive reasoning methods has been insufficient, even though the digitalization of information and artificial intelligence technologies are now in place to support such an environment. Therefore, we review Bertin’s articles and books and attempt to re-evaluate them from the perspective of heuristic and abductive reasoning methods. Although Bertin seems to have proposed a method of visual representation that emphasizes a monosemic system, in fact, methods to stimulate vivid abductive reasoning and discovery through graphics are central to his interests; he should be seen as having pursued theoretical frameworks, such as visual variables, to effectively advance these methods.
Traditional communication theory’s view of the quest for clarity in graphical representation will have to be reconsidered as further extending the potential of the cartography by adding the methods of “exploration, heuristic hypothetical reasoning, and new discoveries. This is also necessary when considering the improvement of map literacy in school and social education.
