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Appearance and Reality: Some Ontological Issues

In: Fetishism and the Theory of Value

Author

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  • Desmond McNeill

    (University of Oslo)

Abstract

In this chapter, I take up the question that I briefly raised in Chap. 5 regarding the ontological status of value. Marx emphasises that value is not a natural but a social phenomenon. Social phenomena can be said to exist and indeed to be causally effective; but only by virtue of people’s shared beliefs. Here, the concept of fetishism is illuminating. To the native of West Africa, the fetish has real power; as Marx wrote in his doctoral thesis: “did not the ancient Moloch reign?”

Suggested Citation

  • Desmond McNeill, 2021. "Appearance and Reality: Some Ontological Issues," Palgrave Studies in the History of Economic Thought, in: Fetishism and the Theory of Value, edition 1, chapter 7, pages 109-126, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:pshchp:978-3-030-56123-9_7
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-56123-9_7
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