Commodity fetishism

Karl Marx came up with the idea of commodity fetishism.

A ballpoint pen and all of its parts have to go through many processes and relationships to be sold as a finished product

Commodity fetishism is an important concept in Marx's philosophy. In his writings, he thinks that people in capitalist systems are too focused on the end product people buy (a commodity) and forget to think about the processes that helped the commodity come about.

For example, a ballpoint pen must go through material sourcing, designing, prototyping and manufacturing before it can be shipped and delivered to customers. Many people, including workers, took part in the production of the pen, and Marx believes that capitalist thinking takes people away from those processes and relationships which result in a commodity.