Introduction to Benjamin Wright and His Contributions to Measurement Science

Abstract

In this chapter we briefly describe the facts of Ben Wright’s professional career as a physicist and psychologist. We also make some perspective-setting remarks on the strengths and range of his accomplishments, on the nature of his engaging and sometimes-challenging personality, as well as on his perspicacity and forward-looking view on the roles of measurement in the scientific world. In doing so, we ask some questions about his career and work that we hope (and expect) are illuminated by the succeeding chapters of the volume. Of particular interest are the ways in which Wright drew from his deep experiences in physics, mathematics, computers, and psychoanalysis to set the stage for new ad..