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?

  • berrytopylus [she/her,they/them]
    ·
    3 years ago

    In the most technical sense I suppose it could be (although I believe work animals tend to be viewed more as tools or machines in this sense) and the exploitation of animals is certainly a problem that should be addressed but I also think there's an important factor here with animals that doesn't apply to humans. What would they even do with that value? Cows can be smart, but they aren't going to get a brand new TV or take a vacation to Hawaii or anything beyond "yes me run in field me eat tasty grass"