Roger Newland Shepard

Developed widely used data-analytic methods for mapping qualitative data into quantitative representations (especially, methods of nonmetric multidimensional scaling and clustering) and experimental methods for establishing and quantifying the analog character of imagined spatial transformations (as in mental rotation and apparent motion). Using evidence obtained through these methods and theoretical consideration (of Bayesian and maximumentropy inference and of kinematic geometry) he argues for the existence of universal principles of mind that are reflections of universal regularities of the world. Currently, he seek to explaine effectiveness of thought experiments and to explicate the rational grounds of sciene and of ethics.