True value, error, and measurement uncertainty: two views

Abstract Measurement uncertainty, as established in the Guide to Expression of Uncertainty (GUM), is a central concept metrology. The GUM known for its detailed discussions on concepts true value and error their relation measurement uncertainty. However, statements have been source conceptual controversies, sometimes leading inconsistent or unclear descriptions value, error, Here, we discuss that such controversies arise from an distinction between two views with fundamentally different premises. In one views, called realist view, regarded activity estimating determining which case uncertainty represents dispersion reasonable estimates values. other instrumentalist assigning values measurand, could reasonably be assigned measurand. By examining philosophy each show clear understanding critical GUM.