I have a suspicion that some of the problem with the subject of moral
depreciation is a search for misplaced specificity. The core of value
theory, as I see it, is that it addresses a peculiar type of social relation.
Value relations are perverse in the sense that they are anti-human.
Moral depreciation can be seen in terms of value theory from two
perspectives.
1. The continual reappearance of moral depreciation represents just another
contradiction which makes it difficult/impossible for people to take full
advantage of our social-technical potential.
2. Moral depreciation represents a problem to solve in attempting to
calculate precise values. Value represents a mass of something. If it
disappears in one place it must reappear somewhere else. How do we solve
the value problem.
I tend to follow the first line. Some of us prefer the second. I find the
second line interesting. Some of you have made brilliant analysis about the
subject, but I suspect that the first is more in the spirit of Capital, at
least the way I read it.
--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 916-898-5321
E-Mail michael@ecst.csuchico.edu