Matter, Life and Value (Paperback)

Paperback. "Matter, Life and Value" is a profound philosophical inquiry into the fundamental nature of reality and the hierarchy of existence. Written by C. E. M. Load, this work challenges the prevailing materialistic trends of its time by proposing a multi-layered metaphysical structure that distinguishes between the physical world, the phenomenon of life, and the realm of objective values.The text explores how these three distinct categories interact, seeking to provide a cohesive framework that accounts for both the mechanical laws of science and the teleological aspirations of the human spirit. Load meticulously examines the limitations of monism, arguing that a purely materialist or purely idealist worldview fails to capture the complexity of experience. Instead, the author advocates for a pluralistic approach, where Life acts as a bridge between the inert Matter of the universe and the transcendent Value that gives human existence meaning.Navigating themes of consciousness, biological evolution, and ethical objectivity, "Matter, Life and Value" remains a significant contribution to early 20th-century speculative philosophy. It offers a rigorous defense of the reality of values-such as beauty, truth, and goodness-as independent entities that are as real as the physical objects we perceive, making it essential reading for those interested in metaphysics and moral philosophy.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. …