259
Appendix A: A basic concept system
of measurement
Introduction
The International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM: JCGM, 2012) is the metrologist’s
reference document for basic and general concepts and associated terms about measurement and measurement systems. Whenever we have considered it possible, the
analyses and discussions in this book draw from the VIM, by referring, often explicitly, to its definitions. However, despite its pivotal role, there are two reasons why
the VIM is insufficient, and unfortunately sometimes inadequate, for a treatment of
measurement across the sciences. One is that it only deals with measurement of
physical properties (in a broad sense, thus including chemical properties, biological
properties, etc.); the other is that the VIM has a strong focus on quantitative properties (i.e., quantities). Both reasons justify the development of an even more fundamental and therefore encompassing concept system.
Furthermore, the VIM is a vocabulary, in the sense given by the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO), i.e., a “terminological dictionary which
contains designations and definitions from one or more specific subject fields” (ISO,
2000: 3.7.2), and as such it is bound for each defined concept to provide a definition,
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
L. Mari et al., Measurement across the Sciences, Springer Series in
Measurement Science and Technology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65558-7
Appendix A: A basic concept system
of measurement
Introduction
The International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM: JCGM, 2012) is the metrologist’s
reference document for basic and general concepts and associated terms about measurement and measurement systems. Whenever we have considered it possible, the
analyses and discussions in this book draw from the VIM, by referring, often explicitly, to its definitions. However, despite its pivotal role, there are two reasons why
the VIM is insufficient, and unfortunately sometimes inadequate, for a treatment of
measurement across the sciences. One is that it only deals with measurement of
physical properties (in a broad sense, thus including chemical properties, biological
properties, etc.); the other is that the VIM has a strong focus on quantitative properties (i.e., quantities). Both reasons justify the development of an even more fundamental and therefore encompassing concept system.
Furthermore, the VIM is a vocabulary, in the sense given by the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO), i.e., a “terminological dictionary which
contains designations and definitions from one or more specific subject fields” (ISO,
2000: 3.7.2), and as such it is bound for each defined concept to provide a definition,
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
L. Mari et al., Measurement across the Sciences, Springer Series in
Measurement Science and Technology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65558-7