Measurement theory in the context of scientific enquiry

Davide Rizza

doi:10.1007/s11229-025-05109-0

Measurement theory in the context of scientific enquiry

Davide Rizza

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Abstract

The body of work on mathematical models of measurement known as ‘measurement theory’ is not yet adequately understood from a philosophical standpoint. Recent evaluations of measurement theory (in this paper I focus on Heilmann (Philosophy of Science 82:787–797, 2015); Philippi (Philosophy of Science 88:929-939, 2021); Tal (Perspectives on Science 29:701–741, 2021)) have dislocated it from the context of scientific enquiry, making it harder to appreciate its motivations and connection with experimental and theoretical work. This paper seeks to clarify what measurement theory is and does, offering a mathematically more nuanced account of its results than currently available in the philosophical literature.

Original language	English
Article number	32
Journal	Synthese
Volume	206
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-025-05109-0
Publication status	Published - 1 Jul 2025

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Measurement theory in the context of scientific enquiry

Abstract

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