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[1] RedHead: In regards to wealth equating happiness and vice-versa, the
definition of wealth must first be firmly established. Marx
speaks of physical commodities in terms of value and
use-value. The problem I have encountered with this
terminology is the vast spectrum of opinion related to
defining these terms. One cannot place a blanket of
uniformity on the value of something ... whether it be a
possessed object, beloved individual, or a gut-wrenching
emotion. Humans value all of these things so differently.
One man might expend more thought towards how he can evade
this year's taxes, instead of concerning himself with the
fact that his wife is “nailing” her tennis coach. Another
man might find more joy in the silent observation of today's
sunset, than can be found in the sum of all of life's
material indulgences ... he might place a higher value on
his emotion than on his Mercedes. As Marx stated in this
first chapter, “the exchange relation of commodities is
characterized precisely by its abstraction from their
use-values”. Though society has put a monetary value on the
materials and products for the sake of commerce, their true
value varies greatly from person to person. To sum up the
answer to this question, I personally agree that happiness
is the only true wealth. This is my answer though, and
should not be confused with my general opinion regarding
other members of society as it is ... or society as it
“should” be. |
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