The International System of Units-a case for reconsideration

Abstract

The International System of Units (SI) follows a concept that goes back to Maxwell. At that time, a logic sound foundation of mathematics was not yet available. This has lead to concepts and terms that are contradictory and in conflict with today's standard mathematical concepts. The inconsistencies that have evolved in metrology due to the lack of appropriate notions are pointed out. This is most important, as the metrology is a field that is internationally well organized under the umbrella of the Meter Convention, an international treaty for acting on all matters relating to units of measurement. Committees and working groups under the Meter Convention have a leading role in the elaboration of important metrological guides, among others the International Vocabulary of Metrology. Therefore, it is highly desirable that their publications use well-founded concepts and terminology. It is consensus that it is desirable to find a system of units on invariant properties of nature and not on human artifacts, e.g., the prototype of the kilogram. However, the current proposals to improve that are in conflict with standard scientific concepts. It is shown in the paper how these inconsistencies can be avoided. The argumentation is based on the interpretation of numbers developed by mathematicians like Cantor, Dedekind, Peano, and others that have led the logic foundation of mathematics with set and number theory. This foundation excludes dogmas that have been forwarded in the last century under the umbrella of the Meter Convention. © 2011 The Author(s).