Re: [OPE] Thermodynamics and labor theory of value

Paul writes:
The principle Of entropy maximisation under a conservation law is an
abstract property Of the Boltzman distribution, and this tendancy to
entropy maximisation Is a very fundamental law of the universe.

Paul previously wrote:
So modern physics has shown that not only was Marx right in his basic
analysis, but he was right because his conclusions follow from the most
basic laws of physics, the laws of thermodynamics.

The Boltzmann distribution is a mathematical function of several
variables. It is not physics or economics; as the saying goes, it has
applications to this and that. Paul's argument seems to be:
    Gases and other physical systems are described by the Boltzmann
distribution.
    Exchange economies are described by both Marx's labor theory of
value and by the Boltzmann distribution.
    Therefore, Marx's labor theory of value follows from laws of physics.

Even changing "described" to some other verb, still, this is obviously
not a logical argument. What am I missing?

Charles Andrews

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Received on Thu Sep 18 21:05:54 2008