Re: Marx and value--a potential critique.

[boddhisatva <kbevans@xxxxxxxxx>]

                Mr. Dean,




        The problem is with the interpretation and use of the Labor Theory of
Value.  People want to go from the axiom that "all value is created by labor"
to an incorrect converse that "all labor creates value".  All labor does is
tire people out.  The fact is that the value of their labor cannot be known
until after they have done it, and is therefore an independent event.
Consumers define value, that is also axiomatic. The producer makes a guess as
to what his labor will be worth to his fellow worker, and his fellow worker
takes a guess how much he should really pay for the product.  These
decisions are independent. although the consumer and producer are
interdependent.


        The labor theory of value, therefore falls in to the gray area of
comparing the value of goods and the social conditions of labor.  It deals
with the fact that work and the conditions of work have a social cost and
benefit beyond the immediate question of goods.  At present it deals with
this quite poorly.



        We're better off now because we have more things AND we have to work
less.  Technology changes the conditions under which we compare the value and
social ramifications of today's work and the value of today's goods.







        peace








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