Replies to the comments by Gärtner, Plunze and Zimmermann, Portner, Potts, Reis, and Zaefferer

Abstract I would like to thank all commentators for commenting on my work in thoughtful contributions to the issues that occupy us all. In thinking about the comments, my ideas about these issues have considerably progressed. It seems to me fitting that I should include these improvements in this volume as well. I outline them in brief form below, sometimes alternating with my more direct responses to the comments.