Coordination and obsolescence: a response on behalf of measurement realism

• Published in: Synthese (Dordrecht) Vol. 201; no. 3; p. 78
• Main Author: Wolff, J. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 18-02-2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Concept Formation in the Natural and Social Sciences: Empirical and Normative Aspects; Coordination; Education; Epistemology; Logic; Metaphysics; Obsolescence; Original Research; Philosophy; Philosophy of Language; Philosophy of Science; Realism; Measurement; Coordination; Operationalism; Numerical representation; Realism; Conventionalism; Quantities; Coherentism
• ISSN: 1573-0964; 0039-7857; 1573-0964
• DOI: 10.1007/s11229-023-04061-1

Measurement realism, the view that measurement targets quantitative attributes and that not all attributes are quantitative, has come under attack both from metrologists and philosophers. In this paper, I take a close look at two influential arguments against measurement realism: the argument from obsolescence and the argument from coordination. I concede that these arguments do challenge the epistemological position traditionally taken by measurement realists, but argue that the metaphysical core of measurement realism survives the challenge posed by these arguments. This metaphysical core is vital to maintaining a clear and ambitious standard for successful measurement.