Re: [A-List] Re: Frank and Jones -- money and oil

Sabri,
Of course metaphors derived from the natural and physical sciences are not only
useful but probably indispensible in communicating social concepts.
However, when physical laws are invoked to set physical constraints on aspects
of social reality (e.g., political economy), they require the same test as in
the sciences they are derived from; are these concepts being
misused/misinterpreted? For example, Georgescu-Roegen/Rifkin's confusion about
closed versus isolated systems in the context of the 2nd law of thermodynamics.
As I point out in my paper G-R's confusion has unfortunately influenced many
environmental theorists including those with an ecosocialist/Marxist
perspective (e.g., Altvater, Sarkar), particularly on issues of limits to
economic growth and the viability of solar energy, i.e., will solar always be
parasitic on fossil fuels/nuclear energy?
David

Sabri Oncu wrote:

> Well David,
>
> I don't want to sound like an insensitive (ex)natural scientist but,
> nevertheless, here is my opinion:
>
> If concepts from natural sciences help us improve our understanding of
> social phenomena or our ability to communicate social concepts, I am all for
> using them. But if their use adds to the already existing confusion, maybe
> it is better to leave them alone. Don't you agree?
>
> Sabri Oncu
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: wsn-owner@csf.colorado.edu [mailto:wsn-owner@csf.colorado.edu]On
> Behalf Of David Schwartzman
> Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2001 6:32 AM
> To: Mark Jones
> Cc: a-list@lists.econ.utah.edu; Richard N Hutchinson; Mark Jones;
> wsn@csf.colorado.edu; franka@fiu.edu
> Subject: Re: [A-List] Re: Frank and Jones -- money and oil
>
> Engels didn't really understand the 2nd law. In any case, this law has been
> widely misunderstood, with the familar invocation of physical concepts in
> social prognostication (physics gets some respect from social scientists and
> the lay public even when it is misinterpreted). Georgescu-Roegen/Jeremy
> Rifkin/Sarkar are examples. For an extended discussion read my paper Solar
> Communism:
> http://www.redandgreen.org
> Marxism & Ecology
> (you might like to check out the other posted articles, e.g., "A World Party
> in Our Future?", written a month before 911).