The Zombie Factory

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 psychological theory and neuroscience, noting that the latter often declines to validate psychology’s categorical claims. Ultimately, the source describes the discipline as a "zombie factory" that produces self-sustaining myths which survive through institutional inertia and social utility. 👉 https://brywillis634737.substack.com/p/the-zombie-factory