The Ontological Grammar of the Abortion Dispute

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 social relation rather than an internal property, yet it is discussed as an inherent truth. Ultimately, the text encourages readers to recognise these hidden commitments to understand why traditional reasoning often fails to resolve the conflict. This inventory does not seek to declare a winner but aims to expose the linguistic machinery that renders the issue so intractable. 👉 https://brywillis634737.substack.com/p/what-nobody-argues-for