- Capitalism and Alternatives -

Some lumps in the brew.

Posted by: Dr. Cruel on November 03, 1999 at 13:06:37:

In Reply to: Hate to crash the tea party, but... posted by Stoller on November 01, 1999 at 22:19:24:

:
: : That exchange-value is concrete evidence of use-value, becuase on its own use-value is an intangible unmeasurable concept...

: How about telling the MILLIONS OF WOMEN whose UNPAID work raising children for thousands upon thousands of years that their efforts lack 'concrete evidence of use-value.'

: Really!

Doc: The 'value' of children, quite obviously in the more primitive agricultural societies, is in the sphere of insurance, and in the access to cheap labor that the adolescent promises (thus, the liberal use of corporal 'inducements' in less enlighened pre-industrial and early industrial societies). This value, going widely unsaid by mothers (why don't you call?) has decreased as technology has advanced, leading to the lower birth-rates in more technologically advanced societies. Thus, of course, the corresponding growth of the child disposal industry, where wealth and convenience have come together to encourage the euphemistic promotion of this expensive 'choice' (abotu $400 a pop, last I heard).

In any case, the 'intangible' nature of use-value, i.e. the subjective valuation that is implied by this concrete concept, is I believe part of the topic of this debate. Yes?




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