Abstract

Theorizing about “what is x?” is the primary task of any study that seeks a “philosophy about x”. In the case of the philosophy of measurement this problem is multifaceted, as it involves notions whose restrictions are formulated because of metaphysical assumptions and epistemic consequences. Concerning the understand of what it is to measure, there are problems derived from the relationship between measurement and knowledge, especially scientific knowledge. This relationship raises broad epistemological questions that can be broken down into more specific epistemic problems. Would there be, then, a way to understand and characterize measurements that would make it possible to identify and clarify a set of these problems? This article proposes a framework for the act of measuring that is fruitful in the sense of giving a useful starting point in this field.