Reasoning with Fossils: Ontological Grammar and Inherited Reality

Philosophics — Philosophical and Political Ramblings · Jul 30, 2026 · 20m

Language philosopher Bry Willis explores the concept of ontological grammar, which he defines as the hidden conceptual frameworks that dictate how we perceive reality. He argues that many of our deepest convictions are not the result of active logic but are fossilised reasoning inherited through language, history, and social institutions. Because these ideas are embedded into the very structure of our world, they often appear as self-evident truths rather than man-made constructions. Willis suggests that standard rational debate often fails because it operates within these unquestioned…