Define what Marx meant by absolute surplus value and relative surplus value. Now take the concept of relative surplus value and give an example from modern-day life. Does the pursuit of profit through relative surplus value help or hurt the capitalists in the long-run? Why or why not?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Title: Understanding Marx’s Concepts of Absolute and Relative Surplus Value
Introduction
Karl Marx, a renowned economist and philosopher, introduced the concepts of absolute and relative surplus value to explain the mechanisms of capitalist exploitation. This essay will define these concepts, provide a modern-day example of relative surplus value, and explore the long-term implications of pursuing profit through this strategy.
Absolute Surplus Value vs. Relative Surplus Value
Absolute Surplus Value: Absolute surplus value refers to the traditional method of increasing profits by extending the length of the working day. In this scenario, capitalists extract surplus labor from workers by making them work longer hours for the same wage, thereby producing additional value that accrues to the capitalist.
Relative Surplus Value: On the other hand, relative surplus value involves increasing profits by reducing the necessary labor time required for the production of goods. This can be achieved through technological advancements, efficiency improvements, and cost-cutting measures that enhance productivity and output without a corresponding increase in wages.
Modern-Day Example of Relative Surplus Value
One modern-day example of relative surplus value can be observed in the retail industry. Large corporations such as Amazon have implemented automated fulfillment centers and robotic systems to streamline their operations and reduce labor costs. By leveraging technology to increase efficiency and productivity, these companies can generate higher profits without significantly raising wages or expanding working hours for employees.
Impact on Capitalists in the Long Run
The pursuit of profit through relative surplus value can have both benefits and drawbacks for capitalists in the long run. While initially, adopting cost-saving measures and enhancing efficiency may lead to increased profitability and market competitiveness, there are potential consequences to consider.
Benefits:
1. Increased Profit Margins: By reducing labor costs and improving productivity, capitalists can boost their profit margins and achieve higher returns on investment.
2. Market Dominance: Companies that embrace technological advancements and efficiency gains through relative surplus value can solidify their position in the market and outperform competitors.
Drawbacks:
1. Labor Unrest: The implementation of automation and cost-cutting measures may lead to job losses, wage stagnation, and worker dissatisfaction, potentially resulting in labor strikes or protests.
2. Overreliance on Technology: Relying too heavily on technological solutions for profit generation may make companies vulnerable to disruptions in supply chains, technological failures, or shifts in consumer preferences.
In conclusion, while the pursuit of profit through relative surplus value can offer short-term advantages for capitalists in terms of increased efficiency and profitability, it is essential to consider the long-term implications of this strategy. Balancing technological innovation with ethical labor practices, social responsibility, and sustainable business models is crucial for ensuring the resilience and longevity of capitalist enterprises in an ever-evolving economic landscape.
