The Zombie Factory

Philosophics — Philosophical and Political Ramblings · Mar 1, 2026 · 39m

This essay by language philosopher Bry Willis argues that modern psychology functions more as an administrative tool than a legitimate natural science. The author contends that the field suffers from reification, where descriptive labels for human behaviour are mistakenly treated as concrete physical entities or causes. Using psychopathy as a primary example, the text suggests that these constructs persist because they are bureaucratically useful for institutions like courts and schools, rather than being scientifically accurate. Willis highlights a growing ontological gap between…