| This question <99|99> overall <98|100> Daklar: <17|100>. |
| Question 175: What does the word “essentially” mean in the sentence that every function of the human organism is “essentially” expenditure of of human brain, nerves, muscles, sense organs, etc.? |
| [99] Daklar: essentially The Websters dictionary definition of the word essentially is: “implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.” To apply this to Marx statement we find that the very definition of the word labor has to do with the fact that it is expenditure of the human brain, nerves, muscles, sense organs, etc. If labor were not the expenditure of these things in some way shape or form it would not be labor and thus there would be no value in it. To illustrate this, when somebody goes through their college education working hard not only to get good grades but to pay for their education themselves they feel a greater sense of accomplishment, a greater sense of value in what has been accomplished than someone who has let their parents pay their way. Of course this analogy doesn't go very deep because both people can still work hard and get the same grades and in the end they both end up with the same degree. From the fact that labor has been put into attaining the degree which gives it value instead of the knowledge just falling off of a tree in front of them the analogy works. |
| The other aspect of the word essentially that Marx seems to be implying is as he says “In tailoring, as well as weaving, human labor is expended. Both, therefore, possess the general property of being human labor, and there may therefore be cases, such as the production of value, in which they must be considered only under this aspect.” Marx is referring to something discussed earlier, the dual character of labor or the fact that labor can be looked at as abstract (any and all exertion of human brain, nerves, muscles, etc. in producing anything no matter what is produced) or concrete (specific labor such as butchering, baking, and candlestick making). |
| I would say that the word essentially is a perfect one word summary of the idea of abstract labor. Without having the essential component of abstract labor commodities would not have value or exist for that matter unless they sprang forth from the ground voluntarily. Since we live in a world where we must produce by the sweat of our own brow, our sweat is essentially what creates and gives value to anything and everything. |
| Hans: You went a little overboard when you tried to derive from the general character of the labor process that it is bette to work oneself through school, but otherwise a very good answer. |
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