A Model for the Relationship between Working Time and the Intensity of Labour

As Marx, but also Chapman and Robbins argued, working time and labour intensity are strongly and negatively correlated. Nevertheless, the models for this interaction presented so far don’t integrate their ideas. We construct a model for the time – intensity relationship that is mainly based on the natural limitations of the human body and reflects Marx’s main theses. We explore it’s consequences on product, value and surplus value. Finally we test the assumptions of this model with the help of contemporary ergo-metric experiments