| This question <3|8> overall <5|7> Garfield: <667|184>. graded B+ |
| Question 29: Can you think of an example in which the quantity of something affects its quality, for instance some physical matter two litres of which are qualitatively different from one litre of it? |
| [6] Garfield: What is the purpose? Bresid, in [2], talks about Isoflurane specifically regarding its purpose as an anesthetic. Hans, in [3], discusses that there is no change in what Isoflurane does in that it depresses the nervous system in varying degrees depending on the dose. But, in discussing quality, do we not have to narrow down a purpose for the commodity? |
| When given in too high a dose, Isoflurane makes a very poor anesthetic. Certainly, it could be stated that this affects its quality as an anesthetic. So also, in the example of milk. If one were to drink milk in very large quantities, the ability of the milk to bring nutrition to the drinker would be compromised. If a person were to drink too much milk, it could also kill them (as we have seen from the recent water poisoning of a young girl when she was forced to drink too much). |
| When determining the use-value of a particular commodity, do we not have to think of its purpose? One individual is sure to gain usefulness out of just the right amount of Isoflurane for their surgery if the surgeon will be using it as an anesthetic where another individual would use a larger amount if they are using it to kill themselves. This shows the qualitative change in Isoflurane. In larger doses, its quality as an anesthetic is quite poor. In smaller doses, its quality as a heart-stopping agent is poor as well. When speaking of qualitative and quantitative changes, we must also talk about purpose. |
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