This question <22|22> overall <20|23> Shelley: <1312|43>.

Question 83: Does Marx's “value material” or “value matter” (Wertgegen­ständlichkeit) have properties similar to physical matter?

[22] Shelley: Yes, in the annotations pg. 38, value material is stated as a non-physical yet material-like substance. Also, stated is: The materiality of human labor that is itself abstract, lacking further quality and content, is, of necessity, an abstract materiality, a thing made of thought. The example of linen as the material expression of mere human labor tells us that linen is a thought: value material. So, the similar properties of value material and physical matter are that both can be exchangeable commodities. Physical matter being human labor or some use-value. Value material being an idea to produce some commodity. The idea can be a commodity. The physical object, string can be a commodity.

Hans: Linen itself is not a thought. Only the value of linen is, as Marx said, spun by the brain. This is true for the value of all other commodities too. This value is a non-material substance. Marx claims that this substance is real, i.e., it can have effects. The question was: are its effects similar to those of physical matter?

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