[WS:] Here are my answers:
Q: Why can't a 'general ideal' be responsible for more than one outcome? A: Because they are constants and constants do not explain any variance. To explain variance you need a factor that vary, so you can associate change on that factors with changes on the factors you are trying to explain. So at the very least, you need a variability on a "general ideal" and ideally, factors that explain that variability.
^^^^^ CB: What you say here doesn't contradict or refute Alan's claims. It's like in biology you would be denying that the commonalities of species of the same genus are not explained by their having a common ancestor. You are playing a silly game, Wojtek.