The Intelligible World by Urban Wilbur Marshall;

Author:Urban, Wilbur Marshall; [Urban, Wilbur Marshall]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Published: 2022-06-21T00:00:00+00:00

IV

The origin of the space-time problem—as a philosophical problem, at least—we found to be axiological. Its ultimate meaning and final solution must, we insisted, be axiological also. The first condition of such a solution is naturally an examination of the relations of space and time to values. Otherwise expressed, our problem is somewhat as follows. The fundamental task of this chapter is to determine the rôle of space and time in the interpretation of reality, or in our conception of an intelligible world. We have repeatedly found, however, from various angles of approach, that the notions of reality and value are inseparable. It is clear, then, that no determination of the rôle of space and time in this interpretation is possible until we have considered the relation of space and time to value.

With this question we have come to one of the most difficult problems of this chapter, and one in the discussion of which the greatest confusion of thought is possible. If, as has been suggested, the values of nature are the key to metaphysical interpretation, then the question of the relation of values to space and time is fundamental. On the other hand, this very question is made extraordinarily difficult by ambiguities in the concept of value. The merely psycho-biological conception is of values as adaptations of organism to environment, and, from the genetic point of view, as certain adaptations which emerge as evolution runs its course. If this were the whole story of values, what we have said of space and time in the preceding section would apply without change to the sphere of values. But it is not the whole story, as we have seen.1 The necessarily vicious circle inherent in this conception forces us to other conceptions of value, and demands that we shall consider the question of the relation of space and time to values on its own merits.

1 See Chapter IV, pp. 136 ff.

We may begin by asking, concerning “values,” the same questions we asked about “things.” Are the principles of necessary spaces and necessary times involved in the description and explanation of values? Are relations of space and time part of the nature of values? These questions must, in a sense, be answered in the affirmative. It is in connection with space and time that values become sichtbar; in connection with them alone that the meaning and values of things are acquired. It is only as “evolution runs its course” that there emerge, at the reflective stage of mind, tertiary qualities, ideals of truth and beauty and the ethically right, having relations of value.

Mutual externality of positions in space and of moments in time are, we have seen, necessary for description and explanation. In the descriptions and explanations of the geologist, biologist, and sociologist, moreover, an element of meaning and value has already entered. The “beneficent” character of these factors is emphasized. Necessary spaces and necessary times are postulated as the condition of all those qualities of the universe, all those adaptations to which we ascribe value—as necessary, in short, for the acquirement of meaning and value.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.