From: BigBertha-AT-pseud.pseud Subject: RE: M-INTRO: abstract labor Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:23:09 -0600 I have a hard time myself with all the different definitions that seem so similar. Not only abstract labor, but all the relations between the commodities. I get easily confused while reading the text trying to differenciate the definitions. And then...to add them into the metaphors and logic...good luck. >From: Rugdoctor-AT-pseud.pseud >Reply-To: marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.Virginia.EDU >To: marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.Virginia.EDU >Subject: M-INTRO: abstract labor >Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 17:19:06 -0600 > >Seeing that this is a Marxism-intro mailing list, I thought I would bring >up a >quick question about Marx's "Capital" that I don't quite understand. Marx >says >that by exchanging products, the market participants equate their products. > So >if you are exchanging two things, an equation exists, and then he attempts >to >find something that exists in both the commodities. To find this common >substance, Marx starts with use-value, which I'm fine with, and then goes >to >labor, which I understand. But then he somehow ends up at this thing he >calls >abstract labor, which is what I don't understand. An infinite number of >commodities and labors going into these commodities, and somehow he takes >all >those labors and creates this common substance called abstract labor, and >this >is my favorite part, defines it as "the expenditure of human brain, muscle, >nerves, etc." What does this mean? Does anyone else have a hard time >accepting >this "abstract labor? I still don't think he has found a common substance, >and >I think his argument is weak at this point. Can anyone help me understand >this? >I would love some input. > > > --- from list marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu --- _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ --- from list marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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