Theory of the value-work and critics of economical science

Abstract

The theory of value-work, presents, in the work of Marx, the main function of setting the scientific grounds for a global theory of alienation and to an analysis of the long term evolution trends of capitalism. The refusal of such theory by orthodox economic science - Samuelson beeing nowadays its exponent - brings up a fundamental question: are those questions arisen by Marx false or is orthodox economic science to be considered irrelevant? The answer must be subtle. Orthodox economic science presents scientific validity within its own field, which is mainly that of «social engineering». But the marxist point of view, duly reformulated still makes full sense: alienation and exploitation are concepts which evolve most concrete social experiences of the second half of the XX^th century. On the other hand, the marxist paradigm does not aim so much at «social engineering», as it does to the criticism and change of the existing socio-economical order. It can however be found often that those who attack Marx do him more favour than many of those who take his defense.