The Ontological Grammar of the Abortion Dispute

Philosophics — Philosophical and Political Ramblings · Jul 29, 2026 · 19m

Language philosopher Bry Willis investigates the unspoken conceptual frameworks that underpin the abortion debate, suggesting that both sides rely on pre-logical assumptions rather than neutral facts. He argues that our very grammatical structures—how we define identity, value, and harm—predetermine the outcome of arguments before they even begin. By examining how we treat human life as a bounded possession and continuation as a neutral default, Willis reveals that the dispute is often a clash of conflicting ontologies rather than simple logic. He posits that moral standing is frequently a…