| This question <624|140> overall <137|140> Tiny: <77|912>. |
| Exam Question 107: Is labor the only source of the use-values of its products, or do other factors contribute to the use-values as well? Is labor the only source of the values of its products, or do other factors contribute to the values as well? (“Value” is here the property which makes things exchangeable.) |
| [138] Tiny: There are other sources to consider in use-values of products. Marx makes a point 133:2/o that there is a needed combination of two elements. Matter and Labor. He states that when labor is taken away, material will be furnished by nature without the help of man. He gives an example of an insect transforming itself into silk, and metals arranged to form a watch. I do believe that man will proceed in the same way as nature itself does--changing form of matter. But, I also believe labor can be important to help matter change. William Petty remarks: labor is its father and earth its mother. I believe man can produce and make products out of matter; maybe even some forms which nature would not be able to. |
| For example, would nature be able to build a vehicle (means of transportation)? Nature may not be able to build a vehicle as detailed and mechanical as a major car company, but nature may find a way to offer a means of transportation. |
| Nature can offer other products or outcomes that man might not be able to or even within a period of time. For example, rivers, streams, lakes and floodings. What may require timeliness of man, nature could do in days or hours. |
| So, are there other factors involved? Yes, definitely. Labor is not the only indispensable factor. Nature is indispensable too. |
| Hans: You were only answering half the question, that about use-values. |
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