What does φ-scientificity mean? IV. Matter’s mathematicity: units
What does φ-scientificity mean? IV. Matter’s mathematicity: units

Summary/Abstract: In this series of articles, the meaning of ‘φ-science’ or φ-ness has been discussed from the angle of its material aspect, especially the role of measurement as a mediator between mathematical theories and the material world the theories are to describe. The previous part discussed quantities, or properties of the material world treated as numerisable and used as variables in laws of the sciences. This article extends this topic by focussing on units as an indispensable component of measurement that is considered appropriate for exact sciences—extensive or additive measurement. The definitions and the inherently technical realisations of units will be discussed to determine their φ-ness and their role in what makes a scientific discipline φ. The focus is thereby on the base, or fundamental, units that other units of the system of units are derived from. Their relation to what early Vihalemm considered the essence and measure in phaenomena of the exact sciences will be analysed. Technicality-experimentality and abstraction of φ-ness and measurement will be conclusively posited.

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