_If_ it is true that wealth distribution in some society somehow correlates with the very counter-intuitive model of the Gibbs distribution I think it is interesting and needs to be explained. The explain of the authors is ideological. But listen, we often have interesting "mathematical" observations that are not quite explained. Look how the Fibonnaci numbers appear in plants and other structures. The only explanation is that this is efficient "packing" of pedals, seeds, etc. --- which allows for better collection of water, reception of sunlight and symmetry which attracts bees. But this is simply a functional explanation. We really don't know why the Fibonnaci sequence occurs and reoccurs. But that it does is a non-trivial observation.
In your reply you have touched on the very epistemological observations I was trying to elicit, but you kind of dismiss them by simply saying that functionalist explanations are often non-explanatory. True. But still... if true... why should wealth distribution corellate with the Gibbs distribution in any number of diverse societies? The very question I am asking.
Jerry Monaco
Bitch | Lab
> http://blog.pulpculture.org (NSFW)
>
> ___________________________________
> http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk
>
-- Jerry Monaco's Philosophy, Politics, Culture Weblog is Shandean Postscripts to Politics, Philosophy, and Culture http://monacojerry.livejournal.com/
His fiction, poetry, weblog is Hopeful Monsters: Fiction, Poetry, Memories http://www.livejournal.com/users/jerrymonaco/
Notes, Quotes, Images - From some of my reading and browsing http://www.livejournal.com/community/jerry_quotes/