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It is not possible nor is it necessary in this introduction to the discussion of scientific controversies for me to give a summary of the scientific disagreements, as they are clearly stated by the participants in the chapters that follow, although I do, of course, discuss them later. The points of view expressed by the participants in these and other discussions reported in this book have not matured in isolation from those of other colleagues, but have evolved out of a network of relationships and shared experiences, supportive or undermining as the case may be.
In order to obtain a deeper understanding of the differences and cross-currents influencing the feelings, fears, assumptions, prejudices, and points of view expressed by the main participants not only during the discussions of scientific differences, but also during the Business and other Meetings that are reported in this book, I have quoted some of the considerable correspondence that exists in various archives. In particular I have selected correspondence between Melanie Klein and her colleagues and the leading members of the British Society, such as Ernest Jones, Sylvia Payne, Barbara Low, Marjorie Brierley, Edward Glover, and Anna Freud. (It is regretted that only limited material from Anna Freud's archives have been available to the editors.)
As a result of this approach it is hoped that I will have been able to communicate the emotional and interpersonal context accompanying these controversies so that the reader will be able to empathize with those taking part in these discussions as human