Dr. George Trumbull Ladd, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Yale University, lectured on "Philosophy and Life" in Emerson J last evening. Dr. Ladd explained the relation between philosophy and life as being one of mutual need. True philosophy today demands dedication to the cause of the betterment of human welfare, and not to mere theoretical speculation.

The lightest types of philosophy have always been those which had for their aim the interpretation of the universe for the ennobling of mankind. Such a philosophy must be rational and entirely practical yet realizing the truth of human ideals. For after all, actual progress in the betterment of mankind comes through mental longing after what is more nearly perfect. The dream is the parent of the improved work-a-day life.

The great task of modern philosophy lies in the field of religion. To make a religion sensible, one that appeals to the average man, this is the noblest and at the same time the hardest problem of philosophy. And philosophy to meet this demand must be charged with three attributes: fidelity, reasonableness and devotion. In the first place philosophy must be loyal to the facts of life and of the universe as proved by science, for in this loyalty to reason lies the one source of truth. If fidelity to the facts of life is always maintained, philosophy will gain ipso facto that sweet reasonableness which is so essential. But without devotion philosophy is helpless; the entire consecration and devotion of reflective thinking to the great mysteries of life alone will point out the true goal of philosophy--the saner and nobler guidance of the individual and of the human race.