资本论导读.pdf

资本论导读.pdfCHAPTER modities and Exchange CHAPTER 1: MODITY Section 1: Use- Value and Value Let me begin by looking at the first section of chapter 1 in considerable detail. I do so in part because Marx here lays out fundamental categories in an a priori and somewhat cryptic, take-it-or-Ieave-it fashion that could do with elaboration. But I am also interested in getting you, as quickly as possible, familiar with the kind of close reading of Capital that is necessary if you are to understand it. Don't worry, I will not continue at this level of intensity! modity is Marx's a priori beginning point. "The wealth of societies in which the capitalist mode of production prevails:' he says, "appears as an (immense collection modities'; the modity appears as its elementary form. Our investigation therefore begins with the analysis of modity" (125). But notice something about the language. (l\.ppears" occurs twice in the passage, and, plainly, "appears" is not the same as "is:' The choice of this word-and watch out for it, because Marx makes frequent use of it throughout Capital-signals that something else is going on beneath the surface appearance. We are immediately invited to think about what this might be. Notice also that Marx is exclusively concerned with the capitalist mode of production. He is not concerned with ancient modes of production, socialist modes of production or even hybrid modes of production, but with a capitalist mode of production in a pretty pure form. It is always important to remember this in what follows. Starting modities turns out to be very useful because everyone has daily contact with and experience of them. We are surrounded by them at every turn, we spend time shopping for them, looking at them, wanting them or spurning them. modity form is a universal presence within a capitalist mode of production. Marx has chosen mon denominator, something that is familiar mon to us all,