From: clyder@gn.apc.org
Date: Mon Dec 09 2002 - 11:07:47 EST
Quoting "Fred B. Moseley" <fmoseley@mtholyoke.edu>: > > Hi Paulo, > > As I understand you, you argue that my equation summarizing Marx's theory > of surplus-value > > S = m (L - Ln) > > does not explain why surplus-value exists, but is only a necessary > condition for the existence of surplus-value. (is this correct?). Would > you also say that L and Ln are not "causes" or "determinants" of the > magnitude of surplus-value? > > I argue that this equation does provide an explanation of the DIRECT > CAUSES of surplus-value - L and Ln (given m). A given change in L or Ln > will CAUSE a change in surplus-value, by a determined amount, determined > by the above equation. The problem Fred is to explain why wages do not rise so high as to consume all of the product. > > I agree that this equation does not provide an explanation of the INDIRECT > CAUSES (or ULTIMATE causes) of surplus-value - the causes or determinants > of L and Ln. Marx's theory has quite a lot to say about the determinants > of L and Ln (class struggle, productivity, etc.), and you are correct that > this equation does not capture all of this further theory of the indirect > or ultimate causes of surplus-value. But it does express Marx's theory of > the direct causes of surplus-value, which is the basis of the further > theory of the indirect causes. > > Do you agree or disagree? > > Thanks to Jerry for providing the passage on "digestion". I don't think > this is a good analogy. This analogy is about the distinction between > labor-power and actual labor, not about the distinction between the direct > and indirect causes of surplus-value. > > A further note: my critique of value-form theory is that it does not > provide an explanation of the direct causes of surplus-value, because it > does not accept L and Ln as independent determinants of P and S. And > without a theory of the direct causes, there cannot be a theory of the > indirect causes. > > > Comradely, > Fred > > >
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