[OPE-L:5212] Re: Re: Re: use-value as qualitative

From: Gerald_A_Levy (Gerald_A_Levy@email.msn.com)
Date: Tue Mar 20 2001 - 09:38:31 EST


It is unclear to me in what edition of Volume 1 of 
*Capital* on 'p. 188' Steve K cited below in [5189].
However, for reference, it is from Ch. 7, Section 2
in a paragraph that begins "Let us examine the
matter more closely."  In the Kerr edition, this 
paragraph is on pp. 215-216. In the International
(1939) edition, see pp. 174-175. In the Penguin ed.,
see pp. 300-301. An interesting difference in 
translation concerns "the value which that labor-
power creates in the labor process" (Kerr) vs.
"the value that labour-power valorizes [*verwertet*]
in the labour-process" (Penguin). Note that in all
cases the VLP and the "value that ...." concern
value as such, not uv.

In solidarity, Jerry

  The past labor that is embodied in the labor power, and the
  living labor that it can call into action; the daily cost of
  maintaining it, and its daily expenditure in work, are two
  totally different things. *The former determines the
  exchange-value of the labor power, the latter is its use-value.*
  The fact that half a [working] day's labor is necessary to keep
  the laborer alive during 24 hours, does not in any way prevent
  him from working a whole day. Therefore, the value of labor
  power, and the value which that labor power creates in the labor
  process, are two entirely different magnitudes; and this
  difference of the two values was what the capitalist had in
  view, when he was purchasing the labor power... What really
  influenced him was the specific use-value which this commodity
  possesses of being a source not only of value, but of more value
  than it has itself. This is the special service that the
  capitalist expects from labor power, and in this transaction he
  acts in accordance with the 'eternal laws' of the exchange of
  commodities. *The seller of labor power, like the seller of any
  other commodity, realizes its exchange-value, and parts with its
  use-value.* (capital I, p. 188.)



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