Re: [OPE-L] The phenomenology of prices

From: glevy@PRATT.EDU
Date: Fri Dec 28 2007 - 12:46:49 EST


> What I am really looking for is a more systematic phenomenological

> theoretisation of what is actually involved qua cognitive
assumptions,
> both subjectively, intersubjectively and
objectively, in trade or
> calculation using prices, including
what is involved when one moves from
> real prices to ideal
prices, and vice versa.
> As I've argued before, generally
economics assumes
> (1) that all prices are self-evidently in the
same object-class,
> (2) that it is possible to manipulate price
information and compute price
> aggregates without any reference
to value relations that exist
> independently from prices.
> What if those assumptions are ontologically not true? What I've
argued
> previously is, for instance, that all accounting
presupposes or implies
> some kind of value theory, but I wonder
if anybody has actually fleshed
> out that idea much more
systematically and explicitly.



Hi
Jurriaan:

This is an example of a type of question
which can only be satisfactorily flushed
out with reference
to differing levels of
abstraction, imo.



> The relevance of this problem is that whereas many Marxist
theorists swear
> by value theory, almost nobody can explain
coherently why it is necessary.
> The neo-Ricardian challenge is
essentially a defence of double-entry
> bookkeeping, with an
ethic about the utility and efficiency of
> information. If you
need to explain X, certain price data are sufficient
> to explain
it, and no reference to values is necessary.


Defense of double-entry  bookkeeping? Please explain.

In solidarity, Jerry


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