Date: Mon, 26 Jun 1995 12:52:59 -0700
From: JDevine-AT-lmumail.lmu.edu (James Devine)
Subject: Re[2]: "marxism", "dialectics" and "science" -Reply



Lisa asks: 
>>Can dialectics be explained so that it doesn't sound like 
mumbo-jumbo, or its usefulness is demonstrated to me, or I can apply 
it to concrete problems I wish to address? <<

On this, I recommend Lewotin and Lewin's book THE DIALECTICAL 
BIOLOGIST, especially the last chapter. 

>>Is the LTV flawed?  In what way?  What are the criteria for any 
theory of value "working"?  In terms of achieving some goal?  Which 
goal?<<

good question. I think the main flaw of the "labor theory of value" 
(what the old Master called the "law of value") is that Marx never 
explained what it was or what its goals were (and dressed it up in 
some Hegelian mumbo-jumbo). Thus economists, who are trained in 
price theory, think that it's a price theory, suggesting 
mathematical formulas for cranking out predictions of what prices 
would be in an imaginary equilibrium economy. (The fact that usual 
formulations of the "LTV" fail to do this is why most economists 
reject it.) A philosopher I know assumed it was an ethical theory, 
saying that workers "should" get the full product of their labor.  
Etc.  In my more-than-humble opinion, the "LTV" is a historical and 
social theory, in addition to being an economic theory (Marx didn't 
make these separations between academic disciplines). But that's 
getting far afield.

>>That is why I call myself a student.  Not as a follower.  But in 
the best sense of study, to examine alternatives, compare ideas, 
gather information, to have reasonable support for the views I hold - 
in order to make up my own mind about the answers to my questions.<<

I think this is right: we all are students, since no-one knows 
everything. We have to be students, among other reasons because 
the Left has messed up a lot in the past. 

The political situation is really bad, with most oppositional 
forces demobilized and demoralized.  But there's a positive side 
to this: we don't _have to_ know everything for sure _right 
now_. We can test our ideas and knowledge logically, 
empirically, and in practice.  We can be students, rejecting 
dogmatism in all its forms.

for socialism from below,

Jim Devine      jdevine-AT-lmumail.lmu.edu
Los Angeles, CA (the city of emphysema)

 


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