That is certainly part of the reason why I find Grandpierre's thesis so refreshing. Certainly just about all of us know that there is a difference between life and non-life. However, Grandpierre brings that difference to life. Life certainly works against the laws of non-life - it makes liquids defy gravity, it mixes simple chemical compounds in fantastic ways which the physical laws are totally unable to accomplish. It also changes and transforms the physical universe in which it inhabits - to fit its purposes. And this last is the most important difference in my view between life and non-life, it has purpose, it has a goal something which cannot be said of non-living matter. It is therefore something totally different which adds a new dimension to the Universe.
BTW, if you haven't read the Pattee article yet, it's more on the same subject and gives some historical context: