The "Doh!!!" was my realization that classical (i.e., Newtonian) science actually does recognize formal cause, and in a systematic way. In the context of the Newtonian Paradigm, formal cause can be stated: the physical laws plus initial and boundary conditions.
Well, "doh!" for me too. I stand corrected. The physical laws plus initial and boundary conditions do comprise the "blueprint" for the "house" we call the universe.
Now of course I'm going to have to dig back through Rosen's book to see whether he considers his circular model to be the "blueprint" for life in nature.
Thank you again for your outstanding essay-posts and insights, dearest sister in Christ, and thank you for your encouragements!
Just had a thought. RE: the discussion of mimesis, I gave as examples studies of artificial intelligence and artificial life. Then it struck me: "climate change models" are terrific examples of mimesis. We use the mimic to "predict" the future — and the mimic is telling us our future is catastophic if we don't do this and that (i.e., reduce CO
2 emissions). Kinda looks like a rigged game to me — and yet we get "cap and trade" anyway. Sigh....
Oh, well.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY dearest sister in Christ, and to all our FReeper friends!