“Are psychological attributes quantitative?” is not an empirical question: Conceptual confusions in the measurement debate

Critics of psychological measurement have accused quantitative psychologists ignoring the empirical hypothesis that phenomena are (Michell), or claimed it is impossible in principle to find out whether actually (Trendler). By drawing on Bennett and Hacker (2003), I argue both criticisms do not go far enough because they sidestep fundamental conceptual problem debate: It give concrete formulations question “Are attributes quantitative?” without transgressing boundaries meaningful language. Conceptual confusions questionable philosophical assumptions contributed misguided idea quantity must can be demonstrated empirically. First, debate characterized by misleading examples ambiguous terminology. Second, inherently Cartesian. In summary, even more problematic than Michell Trendler argued.