Citation Policy

Current

THEE topics are not systematically referenced to the relevant literature as a matter of policy.

As a former academic who has published in numerous leading journals within a variety of disciplines, I am well aware of the significance of citations. So this policy deserves some explanation.

The decision not to include references at this stage has not been taken lightly. The reasons for it are both functional and practical.

Functionality

The website has been designed and produced for everyone, not just for academics. It is not designed to be approved by a committee of elite-peers, but to be engaged with and improved by all.

THEE is an object of scientific study. The goal is to take what is subjective and turn it into something objective and fruitful. By contrast, the website project (TOP) is about making THEE's frameworks available free-of-charge for all.

Every element and framework should enable unbiased reflection on personal experience so as to gain a deeper understanding of conscious human living. Insofar as it touches on an area where you have experience or expertise, the propositions should ring true. When they do not, your views are still important.

More

THEE articulates assumptions and relationships that underpin understanding. These are a matter of believing and seeing. They cannot be proven right or wrong in the way that conjectures can. Instead, they get judged in terms of experience (i.e. true to life), action (i.e. practical or impractical) and values (i.e. good or bad, important or irrelevant).

THEE is not a product of socialization, or the result of a uni-disciplinary inquiry. If you do adhere to a particular doctrine or discipline, then you may find fault with many parts of it or be inclined to adjust formulations to fit your doctrine.

Practicality

From a practical perspective, the number of disciplines covered and the range of topics addressed is vast. To have provided references in a systematic way would have taken an enormous amount of time and would require many contributors. The priority for TOP has been to get as much of the Taxonomy as possible developed and posted as soon as possible.

Another issue is that relevant articles, books and websites continually emerge. Unlike a conventional publication, a website demands the commitment to reference appropriately on a continuing basis. So the time and cost burdens are even more onerous.

Future

References have value in relation to the need to integrate taxonomic conjectures and predictions with the scientific corpus. So it is envisaged that, in the future, the issue of references will be taken up in a serious and systematic way. This will require new systems, new resources, and new initiatives.

The need for scientific integration and appropriate citation became more pressing with the commencement of speculative inquiry in the Architecture Room.

The reverse issue also needs considering: the assumptions, principles, and knowledge embodied within THEE should be incorporated in due course within conventional scientific studies.

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• If you have a particular interest in this aspect of TOP, make contact.

Originally posted: 7-Jun-2013. Last checked: 7-Jan-2014.