Thursday, July 09, 2009

Value and History

So my question for all you poetry lovers out there is whether the value any particular thing has is a state function. By value, here, I mean some good. So, for example, there is value in a shovel because it can move dirt. The expression “state function” derives from modern physics, in which a given property of an object (its energy, for example) can be determined completely by knowing its state, independent of knowing how it came to be in that state. So, in our example, kinetic energy is a state function because it can be completely determined by knowing the object’s mass and velocity (KE=1/2 m*v^2). We don’t care how our object came to that speed or mass, just that is has them. If kinetic energy were not a state function, one would need to know, not just the velocity the object has, but also the previous changes in velocity that produce our current velocity in … ok, too much explanation. But the question remains: is every value something has a state function? I suppose everyone will say no, but I am interested to know your reasons.