Conclusion

This study described the three classes of ultimacy models under discussion, noting internal variations within each class, eliminating inferior members, and retaining the most compelling representatives. It identified strengths and weaknesses, focusing on the most salient respects of comparison. No knock-down arguments for or against any of the three classes of models were detected, which is expected for Great Models of ultimate reality. But a couple of dozen comparative criteria were identified, which collectively constitute the basis upon which the relative plausibility of the competing ultimacy models is determined. When results are tallied, ground-of-being ultimacy models have a slight advantage over agential-being and subordinate-deity models. This process of comparative analysis directs subsequent debate to the relative importance of comparative criteria, which is always the most salient consideration in any well-formed comparison.