Metaphysical Inflation: A Critique of the Uncanny Valley

Philosophics — Philosophical and Political Ramblings · Jul 7, 2026 · 17m

In this critique of modern philosophical writing, language philosopher Bry Willis challenges the notion that the uncanny—the sense of unease triggered by lifelike machines or biological anomalies—proves that humans possess a hidden belief in a non-mechanical soul. Using an AI-assisted dialogue, the author dismantles an article claiming that these psychological glitches reveal "cracks in our metaphysics" or a deep-seated rejection of physicalism. Willis argues that such theories rely on a flawed generalisation of subjective emotional responses, treating specific cultural or aesthetic reactions…