Marx's Critique of Materialism and Commodities

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Questions and Answers

What must an individual be in order to sell their labor power?

Employed by a corporation

Free and an owner of their own unit of labor (correct)

A member of a labor union

Independently wealthy

What relationship is expected between wages and the cost to reproduce labor over time?

Wages will consistently exceed the cost to reproduce labor

Wages will remain fixed while the cost to reproduce labor rises

Wages will fluctuate widely with no clear relationship

Wages will converge with the cost to reproduce labor for one day (correct)

Why do capitalists need to continually innovate and develop production forces?

To maintain employee satisfaction

To maximize profits in a competitive market (correct)

To adhere to government regulations

To satisfy consumer demands for lower prices

What is the fundamental contradiction of capitalism according to Marx?

The socialized forces of production with individualized property Signup and view all the answers

How does Marx define communism?

A system where the means of production are collectively owned by the people Signup and view all the answers

What does Marx suggest about the labor performed versus the wages earned?

The exchange value is not equal to the labor put in Signup and view all the answers

What does Marx imply about labor in a capitalist society?

Work is imposed with no voice for the laborer Signup and view all the answers

What does Marx say about relative wages among workers?

Relative wages can vary but may still be lower compared to profit Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction that Marx makes between his materialism and that of Feuerbach?

Marx argues that materialism is historical and depends on changing material conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of commodity fetishism according to Marx?

It obscures the value of commodities by focusing on their physical characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is the use-value of labor-power?

The ability to perform work. Signup and view all the answers

What do capitalists create when they 'consume' labor power?

Surplus-value in the form of extra commodities. Signup and view all the answers

What circuit is described by the relationship between money, commodity, and labor power?

MCM Prime. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does Marx believe is overlooked when discussing the value of commodities?

The labor that went into the production of commodities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the exchange-value of labor power primarily represented by?

Wages or payments made for labor. Signup and view all the answers

What precondition is necessary for labor-power to be treated as a commodity?

The laborer must be free to sell their labor. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Marx's Critique of Materialism

Feuerbach's Materialism: Feuerbach argued that religion alienated individuals, proposing his theory as "materialism".
Marx's Critique: Marx disagreed, arguing that materialism is historical. He criticized Feuerbach for being stuck in idealism, failing to account for material conditions and change over time.
Historical Materialism: Marx believed that understanding people requires examining their actions and the material conditions they exist in. Understanding history, including what people have done, is crucial.

Commodities and Fetishism

Commodities: Goods produced to be exchanged, possessing both use value and exchange value.
Commodity Fetishism: A process that obscures the true value of things, making it appear independent of human labor.
- The labor involved in producing a commodity is hidden.
- The value of a commodity is falsely attributed to its physical characteristics.
Labor Power as a Commodity: Labor power is a special commodity that creates value in every other commodity. Its value is obscured by its exchange value, wages.

Labor Power, Exchange, and Surplus Value

Use Value of Labor Power: Its ability to perform work, generate products.
Exchange Value of Labor Power: The cost of sustaining a worker for a day - their wages.
Surplus Value: Created when capitalists "consume" labor power, generating more value than the wages paid.
Capitalist Profit: Surplus value is realized as profit.
MCM' (Money-Commodity-Money Prime): A cycle where money is used to purchase labor power, which produces commodities that are sold for more money.
Preconditions for Labor Power as a Commodity: Individuals must be free from ownership, able to sell their labor power, and not own the means of production.

The Contradictions of Capitalism

Convergence of Wages and Production Costs: Over time, wages will converge with the cost of reproducing the labor force. Workers won't earn more than it takes to sustain themselves for another day.
Revolutionization of Production: Capitalists must constantly innovate and revolutionize production to maximize profits and compete with each other.
The Fundamental Contradiction: Capitalism is driven by the pursuit of profit, which itself is driven by competition. This competition forces capitalists to exploit labor and generate a surplus value, leading to socialized production forces with individualized property.

Communism

Definition: A system where the means of production are collectively owned by the people.

Bees and Humans

Human Labor is Purposeful: Human labor involves planning and foresight, differentiating us from bees who act instinctually.

Past and Living Labor

The Value of Labor: The value of labor expended in the past is not reflected in the wages received for present labor. The exchange value of a commodity does not equal the labor invested in its creation.

Communist Revolution

Capitalist Production: Production is imposed, and workers lack any say in the process.
Communist Alternative: Replace capitalist production with a system where labor participation is a conscious collective decision.

Relative Wages

Relative Wages and Profits: While wages may be higher for some workers, they can be lower relative to the profit generated.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of Marx's critique on materialism, including his disagreements with Feuerbach and the significance of historical materialism. Delve into the ideas of commodities and fetishism, examining how value is obscured in the exchange process and the relationship between labor and commodities.