| This question <433-6|162> overall <155|156-1> Che: <137|156-4>. |
| Question 239: Are commodities selfish? |
| [156] Che: This question is particularly interesting as it addresses the dynamic that exists between the commodity and the producer. Under analysis is appears that the commodity is inherently selfish in nature, as the commodity has different intentions that his producer. The commodity is primarily concerned with its own appearance and value, this is apparent as Marx proclaims, “What chiefly distinguishes a commodity from its owner is the fact that the commodity considers the body of every other commodity only as an appearance of its own value.” 179:1 This statement by Marx denotes that there is a highly selfish aspect that exists in the commodity, the commodity is only concerned about its own value, and only takes in consideration other commodities when they are in relation to it own inherent value. |
| Similarly the commodity again demonstrates this selfish notion in its relation to its producer. Marx points out that the goals of the commodity and of the producer stand in conflict with one another. The producer is primarily interested in garnering use value from a commodity, or use the commodity to barter and extrapolate exchange value to meet his need in the market place, to in essence realize the value of the commodity in the exchange process. This stands contrary to the objective of the commodity, that only wants to realize its own value. The opposition which the producer of the commodity faces reinforces the selfishness that is manifested by the commodity. The commodity according to Marx's metaphor would seek to deny the producer from realizing and validating the social aspect of his labor. |
| This is a fascinating perspective of the relationship, that for Marx, exists between the producer and his commodity. |
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