First of all, animals should not be used for work because :im-vegan: . But having said that... I see how human labor creates surplus value. And I think I understand why machines don't create surplus value. But what about animals that get exploited to perform work, say the mule that pulls a plow? Like humans, they require a "real wage" to sustain them i.e. food, shelter, and medical attention, right? And if the value of labor power of a day of a mule is say 2 hours (that's how much human labor is invovlved in making feed, etc), then if this mule works for more than 2 hours, are they not creating surplus value for the capitalist that claims to own them?

    • blairbnb [he/him]
      ·
      3 years ago

      • yes they were entitled to the full value of their labour. my point was animals have no need or use for the surplus value created by their labour. like if a donkey pulls a plough to harvest more wheat or whatever than it can possibly eat, what's the use in giving all the wheat to the donkey? it can't eat it or sell it.

      • i mean i agree they shouldn't be forced to participate, but it's the forced part that's wrong not because they are being exploited in a marxist sense.