8.0.1.2 Structure of Conclusions

Version 1.3 December 2016                                         Previous Version

For each subject area selected according to our stated criteria, we could summarize our conclusions in various ways.  The way we have chosen is as follows:

●  Firstly to present a small number (eight, as it turns out) of high “diamond levelâ€� conclusions, one for each ‘knowledge domain’;

●  Next, to justify each of these with a few dozen “gold levelâ€� conclusions (42, as it turns out);

●  Then to justify each of these with more numerous “silver levelâ€� conclusions, and then justify each of those with many “bronze levelâ€� conclusions;

●  And finally, at the lowest level, to show that our conclusions are based on reason and the evidence, typically observations, and the inferences we draw from these observations.

There is no need for this “tree-like� structure to be “balanced� (to have the same number of levels down each branch).  Complex areas will have more levels than simpler ones.

The hierarchical structure is obviously a bit arbitrary.  Some lower level observations or conclusions may contribute to more than one higher level conclusion.  We can debate what the most effective way to present these beliefs would be. 

We suggest our current structure:

·       provides short summaries for those who need them, for ourselves to be able to grasp the whole approach in one (big) breath, and for us to briefly convey what we believe to those who are confused and others of different faiths and beliefs.

·       provides detailed justifications and analyses to back up each conclusion, allowing the reasons for the conclusions to be understood and debated.

This does not stop us, or anyone else, presenting the material or summarising it in other ways.  We have included alternative summaries in these pages.

Whatever structure we use, we must ensure that it doesn’t become too restrictive.  The structure must not prevent us from presenting the relevant justifications and conclusions fairly.  If too many problems arise we may need to rethink and revise the structure.  Nothing is fixed.