Measurement vs Interpretation
Definition
Measurement produces data. Interpretation produces responsibility.
These two functions must remain distinct in ESGR-aligned systems.
Why the Distinction Matters
When measurement and interpretation collapse:
- Data becomes prescription
- Observation becomes advice
- Uncertainty becomes confidence
This is how systems mislead users.
Principles of Conservative Interpretation
ESGR systems must:
- Measure conservatively — prefer less data over noisy data
- Interpret minimally — say less than the data might support
- Prefer silence over misguidance — no output is better than wrong output
What Measurement Is
Measurement is:
- Signal collection
- Data recording
- Pattern detection
Measurement is not:
- Advice
- Diagnosis
- Prediction
What Interpretation Is
Interpretation is:
- Translation of data into human-readable form
- Assignment of meaning within defined bounds
- Communication of uncertainty
Interpretation is not:
- Amplification of data significance
- Elimination of uncertainty
- Prescription of action
The Responsibility Gap
The gap between measurement and interpretation is where responsibility lives.
- Measurement does not create responsibility
- Interpretation does
ESGR-aligned systems must be explicit about where interpretation begins and what responsibility it carries.
Compliance Note
Systems that collapse measurement into interpretation, or that interpret beyond what data supports, violate ESGR Constructs specifications.