Abstract

The objective of this paper is to examine the truth of the whole book of Das Kapital instead the truth of a particular theory subordinating to the whole book of Das Kapital (e.g., labor theory of value and transformation problem). Theory is composed of logical inferences by which we derive conclusions from premises. One of methods that test the truth of a theory is to investigate the consistency of premises because a theory that is constructed on inconsistent premises will lead to contradictory conclusions. Labor theory of value and profit pursuing based on the analysis of supply and demand (i.e., maximum return rate on capital) are two premises in Das Kapital. This paper shows that labor theory of value and maximum return rate on capital are inconsistent logically because maximum return rate on capital does not operate under labor theory of value and this conclusion is logically contradictory to the premise that maximum return rate on capital operates. Further, shifting in supply curve or demand curve leads to logical contradiction between market monetary price and value while Marx stated that market monetary price is value in money form. Thus, the whole book of Das Kapital is illogical. I also demonstrate that dialectical contradiction and logical contradiction are different. Thus, Marxian cannot deny this paper by the argument that all logical contradictions are dialectic contradiction so that all logical contradictions in Das Kapital are not wrong because real world is dialectical. 

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