I tried to resist jumping into this "class" thing but I just can't help myself. I suppose some of it is frustration. I keep thinking there's some important point to your post but when I try to grasp it, it's like eating soup with a fork. I'm left with nothing but questions. For example, when you state:"… 'Class' is not a classification; it is classification"
and then write: "Class is a subset of the mind's classification function"
Are you suggesting that 'class' is simply some sort of physiological response mechanism of brain performance? If so...so what? One of the useful purposes of language is to communicate. Classification helps.
Now when you say: "'Class' is not a classification; it is classification. They're the same thing." (my italics) I agree with Red. They're not.
'Class' as defined within the capitalist/worker context describes the result of an inextricably bound relationship. Each is dependent on the other for it's definition. This cannot be said about the relationship between bald men and florists. Ultimately one might further refine such categories in terms of power relationships.
Then again, in response to Red's:
"Alienation is caused by our selling our waged labor, by making our labor power 'alien' to ourselves."
You write:
"This is related to the metaphysical definition of value asserted by Marx. I can't disprove it but it's just a metaphysical claim anyways. So I find it outside rational discussion."
Well I'm sorry to have spent so much "irrational" time on what I consider to be one of Marx's most important psychological insights. (BTW I don't understand your interpretation of Marx's theory of value) Or perhaps you simply regard psychological states themselves as metaphysical in some behaviorist sense. Surely you wouldn't suggest that 'depression', for example, is a 'metaphysical' supposition, or would you? While I know of no psychology textbooks that describe the 'condition of alienation', that should not belie it's existence. (it's an existential sort of thing - like: What am I doing on this planet?)
bill (wondering what he's doing on this planet)
None.
