>Rosen talks of a component as an agent of efficient cause.
>That is, the component does work (which by definition means
>it dissipates and is far from equilibrium).
This is my only crux here. I am not sure that merely doing work is enough.
A system is driven out of equilibrium by doing work, but not necessarily far
from equilibrium. Merely doing work may not be sufficient for dynamic
self-organization to emerge. I may be picky on this, but it is very easy to
confuse dissipation with dissipative structures. On the other hand, I may be too
hard on this point. Maybe dissipation (=implicit friction) is all that is needed
to produce sensation. But I need to hear convincing arguments on this point.
I agree that the thoughts of Rosen and M&V are cases of convergent evolution.
They are alike and will constitute the future biological framework.
Onar.