This question <170|180> overall <174|180> MK: <174|324>.  
  Question 90: How is the value of raw materials determined in Marx's theory? How does the scarcity of these materials influence their value? Is Marx's argument still valid in the case of an exhaustible resource, which is present only in finite supply?   
  [177] MK: Regarding Ash [170], I believe that you have answered correctly. But I would like to make a few comments on your example of the hurricane. As I understand it, the bottle of water may indeed have more labor involved. The water was not likely purchased from a local market, nor was it pulled from a local well. Most likely it was shipped in with urgency-- perhaps in the middle of the night, perhaps the loading of trucks, trains and airplanes for extended hours and in difficult conditions. The water was likely carried by hand to many persons in need and delivered at any and all hours despite the obstacles of sewage, water, electrical outage and danger. In the event that the person delivering the water was in fact to charge a fee, it may be argued that they have grounds to ask a greater fee than average.   
  However, in the case of an individual in urgent need of water after a natural disaster-- I don't believe this example truly identifies the market as a whole. This seems to be an exception as opposed to the rule.   
 
 
 
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