The "What Are You Doing This Moment" Thread

[Eligos]

Writing my midterm paper for Business Ethics, answering these questions:

Describe Marx’s position of historical materialism. Explain how it deviates from the philosophical tradition. Why is the claim of materialism linked to historical conditions, and how does this impact the understanding of economy?

Luckily I've been pondering these questions throughout my study of Capital, and I payed enough attention in Economics to write a solid, 3000-level paper on the subject. Just finished exploring the contrast between Keynesian theory and historical materialism, moving on to Smith, Supply-Side, and Rational Expectations afterward, and then I'll be concluding with my own proposed solution to the social issues we've been discussing in class.

 

[Dak]

Both Smith and Marx based what they wrote on a Labor Theory of Value, which is quite incorrect. You need to read something regarding the Subjective Theory of Value.

 

[Einherjar86]

Marx doesn't believe that labor possesses some supernatural essence in which value subsists, if that's what you mean. His argument is more complicated than that.

 

[Eligos]

I'm focusing more on the Universal Abstract and how it schizmatizes historical materialism and modern economic theory, with a focus on fiat money and Marx's dismissal of culture.

 

[damnromulans]

Since when did you start watching MMA?

Saturday lol, decided to stay in and watch fights at a friend's house, realized I have been missing out

 

[damnromulans]

I'm leery of just keeping some pills in the back pocket. I remember a low dose of Zoloft giving me nausea, diarrhea, headaches, chills, tremors, panic, and orgasmic dysfunction all on the first day. Most of those effects went away by day 2 or 3, and all of them were gone by week 2. It's certainly possible that some of those effects were lingering from what caused me to see a doctor and take the pills in the first place. Zoloft is supposed to reduce anxiety, but I'm sure it would take a high enough dose to blast most people with so many side effects that it would just make things worse in the short term.

I am not clinically depressed so I would NOT fuck with antidepressants for any reason - the Xanax is just gonna sit there and never actually be taken.

 

[Evil?]

I have become overwhelmed with an all encompassing,impenetrable sense of laziness. My motivation for work, including work work, and personal work has been diminished to nearly non-existent level. I don't know what my deal is. I am at work right now. Am I working. Nope.

 

[Einherjar86]

I'm focusing more on the Universal Abstract and how it schizmatizes historical materialism and modern economic theory, with a focus on fiat money and Marx's dismissal of culture.

Did you read the entire first volume? If so, that's a bit extreme, even for a business ethics class.

 

[Eligos]

It's no more extreme than what we've discussed in class. I've read the first half of the first volume, which is what I'm expected to have read. The requirements for the assignment are pretty loose, so if he dings me for it I'll just take it up with the department.

I have become overwhelmed with an all encompassing,impenetrable sense of laziness. My motivation for work, including work work, and personal work has been diminished to nearly non-existent level. I don't know what my deal is. I am at work right now. Am I working. Nope.

I had this problem for a while and then I started empathizing more with my boss, who's been so overcome with work that he was up until 7 AM the other day. I have a similar workload but am just really efficient, so I think I'm gonna try to clear my plate and take some of his portion.

 

[Einherjar86]

It's no more extreme than what we've discussed in class. I've read the first half of the first volume, which is what I'm expected to have read. The requirements for the assignment are pretty loose, so if he dings me for it I'll just take it up with the department.

Gotcha. I just meant that it's somewhat extreme even for a low-level philosophy class. Most courses only assign the first section of the first volume; those who really want to study Marx take further classes on Marxism, or read the rest in their spare time.

I'm surprised a business ethics class spends so much time on Marx, unless the teacher is a gung-ho Marxist. You really need to take time with Marx to understand the nuances of his argument, but in a business ethics class you also need to read more than just Capital. I won't presume to know how the teacher has the class structured, though.

 

[Eligos]

Ah, understood. I thought you were saying my argument was extreme. We're supplementing the mediocre required text with Marx and Locke in order to create a moral framework to apply to current issues like the BP oil spill. It's pretty comprehensive and participation-driven.

I'm personally not a big fan of Marx's exposition style. It's repetitive beyond the point of hypnotism, and feels invasive much like Hawthorne or Melville. I don't think I'll be doing much more exploration of his catalog.

 

[Einherjar86]

Oh man! I agree about Marx's style to an extent; but Melville! As an Americanist, I'm shuddering.

 

[monoxide_child]

goofing off waiting for lunch to start

 

[Dak]

Marx doesn't believe that labor possesses some supernatural essence in which value subsists, if that's what you mean. His argument is more complicated than that.

There might be different nuances, but it doesn't change the underlying principle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_theory_of_value

 

[Nephilim96]

Not much. I'm getting a tattoo.

Kick ass.

 

[Einherjar86]

There might be different nuances, but it doesn't change the underlying principle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_theory_of_value

But read the section titled: "Marx's Contribution". Already you can see how he completely disagrees with the way Smith and Ricardo envision labor value. He begins by taking their argument for granted, and then gradually exposes its shortcomings and flaws in his own.

 

[divine_torture]

I haven't been around lately. Thought I'd say "Hi, everybody!". Hi, everybody.

I just got my new Crate head in the mail, so the new band I'm in will finally get moving along better. I'm stoked.

 

[monoxide_child]

I haven't been around lately.

why not??

 

[Eligos]

I haven't been around lately. Thought I'd say "Hi, everybody!". Hi, everybody.

I just got my new Crate head in the mail, so the new band I'm in will finally get moving along better. I'm stoked.

Double you bee, mate. Congrats on new amp glory. Didja get a Blue Voodoo?

 

[whiskey funeral]

Folding laundry and listening to Torche. I feel like I am always doing laundry! Ah, the joys of parenthood .