Re: [OPE-L] Ajit Sinha and equality versus equivalence

From: Andrew Brown (A.Brown@LUBS.LEEDS.AC.UK)
Date: Mon Jul 16 2007 - 04:22:00 EDT


Yes, what you say is very important. Of course, one also has to bear in
mind the limits of formal logic and the fact that the term 'logic'
should not be confined to formal logic. 

A related analogy: one has to recognise the great power of Newtonian
physics in shaping out world. But, of course, one has to bear in mind
the limits of Newtonian physics and the fact that the term 'physics'
should not be confined to the Newtonian paradigm.  

Andy


 -----Original Message-----
From: OPE-L [mailto:OPE-L@SUS.CSUCHICO.EDU] On Behalf Of Paul Cockshott
Sent: 15 July 2007 22:23
To: OPE-L@SUS.CSUCHICO.EDU
Subject: Re: [OPE-L] Ajit Sinha and equality versus equivalence

One has to bear in mind just how fruitful formal logic has been in
shaping our world. Without the 20th century advances in formal logic
this mailing list could not exist.

Paul Cockshott

www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~wpc



-----Original Message-----
From: OPE-L on behalf of Andrew Brown
Sent: Sun 7/15/2007 9:21 PM
To: OPE-L@SUS.CSUCHICO.EDU
Subject: Re: [OPE-L] Ajit Sinha and  equality versus equivalence
 
Sorry, time pressures are acute but just time to reply:
 
(1) In short SNLT is the only scalar 'cost' that is both general and
social. It is the only scalar therefore that could avoid social
collaspse, under the perverse conditions where a mere scalar is
directing production. My position is not unlike Claus's. In response to
your question to Claus, these perverse conditions are those of
capitalism not of mythical simple commodity production.
 
(2) It is wrong to create a dualism of explanatory power vs logical
proof as opposing criteria of justification. At the heart of the issue
is the question of what is 'logic'. The fact we think that logic it is
'formal logic' is largely a product of logical postivistis and those
from whom they drew (e.g. Russel, Hume). This is a central issue for
dialetical logic.
 
Best wishes
 
Andy
 
 

 
________________________________

From: OPE-L on behalf of Fred Moseley
Sent: Fri 7/13/2007 2:58 AM
To: OPE-L@SUS.CSUCHICO.EDU
Subject: Re: [OPE-L] Ajit Sinha and equality versus equivalence



Quoting Andrew Brown <A.Brown@LUBS.LEEDS.AC.UK>:

> Paul,
>
> I think you are right except for your last point. Logically, society
> would certainly collapse if the underlying scalar were not
> labour-time. This 'logic' stems from a characterisation of the nature
> of human society, not something that formal logic recognises but that
> is so much the worse for formal logic.
>
> Andy


Hi Andy,

I think this is an assertion, with good reason, but not a logical proof.
Society would certainly collapse if there were no labor,
but an argument has to be made as to why society would collapse
if the underlying scalar were not labor.  Why does human society
require labor as the underlying scalar?

Thanks.

Comradely,
Fred

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