File spoon-archives/marxism-intro.archive/marxism-intro_2004/marxism-intro.0409, message 75


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 ---

   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005