Why is there no yardstick for taste or smell like there is for the other 3 senses?

Answer 1

There are several measurements for measuring taste and odour. The descriptions are either qualitative (grassy, acrid, or associated with familiar examples) and are used by perfumers and wine tasters or similar. In the area of environmental control, taste and odour are defined quantitatively by how many dilutions (in fresh air or water) that are required to make the compound indistinguishable from pure air or water.

There are between nine and twenty-one human senses. The number is not definite as many researchers have their own definitions. The generally accepted nine senses and their measurement systems are:

• touch: yes/no questioning of touched party after probe with filament
• taste: as described in paragraph one
• smell: as described in paragraph one
• sight: measurement of optical properties of eye for lenses etc. but yes/no questioning of examined party. Colour vision may be examined by colour samples.
• hearing: yes/no questioning of examined party party to determine if sound of known pressure (dB at source) is heard
• thermoception (the ability to feel temperature): yes/no questioning of examined party
• nociception (the ability to feel pain): qualitative comparison of previous pain
• equilibrioception (the ability to sense your body's balance): observation
• proprioception (the abiity to know how your body parts are oriented): discussion with examined party

Hunger and thirst are also sometimes included. Quantitative measurement not used but qualitative values (are you hungry/thirsty ) often applied

Answer 2

Taste and smell are subjective senses that rely on personal preferences and experiences. Each individual has different taste buds and olfactory receptors, leading to variations in how they perceive flavors and odors. Unlike the other senses, taste and smell cannot be objectively measured or standardized in the same way because they are influenced by numerous factors, including cultural backgrounds, genetics, and past experiences.