QUANTIFICATION IN PHILOCHRONY

FORMS OF QUANTIFICATION

a) To count: The subject counts objects, events and periods one by one or in groups. These periods may seem to the subject shorter or longer according to his/her age or experience. This subjective assessment is duration.

b ) To measure: The subject applies the method of comparing an amount with a corresponding unit in order to find out how many times the first contains the second .

c ) To calculate: The subject performs operations with numbers using the formulas of equations. The formulas are often used in Physics, Astronomy, Statistics, Chemistry, Economics, Accounting and Engineering.

The subject counts or measures directly or indirectly with the help of an instrument or not. The subject counts indirectly the days of the year with the help of the calendar. Clocks and timers count the hours, minutes and seconds then we interpret as duration.

To count is a form of quantification, but not a proper measurement. In the duration, subjective, we compare an interval with an unit of time. To do an objective measurement of the time this should be reversible, but that is impossible. We are limited to count similar periods and therefore we use the duration.