The Ecological Implication of Marx's Labor Theory of Value.

Marx's labor theory of value has often been criticized by environmentalists, ecological economists, and even leftist theorists. They argue that Marx infinitely exalts the contribution of labor to value for the purpose of celebrating the working class, without reserving any place for nature in his theory of value and without recognizing the intrinsic value of nature. This critique portrays Marx as an anthropocentrist and a speciesist. In fact, this prejudice against Marx is based on a misunderstanding of his labor theory of value. First, Marx's labor theory of value reveals the dual properties of value and its various sources; it regards nature and labor (concrete labor) as the source of all wealth. Second, Marx's labor theory of value reveals how capitalist production causes the dual alienation of man and nature as well as the problem of irreversible environmental degradation. Finally, the labor theory of value helps us understand Marx's path of ecological liberation aimed at abolishing capitalism's alienating labor and value system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]