The Zombie as a Metaphor: Materialism vs. Cultural Discourse

Modern materialism, grounded in empirical reality, rejects the notion of zombies as objects of genuine fear, considering this image an emotionally charged metaphor without scientific basis. Philosophers and researchers who adhere to this approach argue that the concept of the zombie has lost its connection to objective reality and now exists merely as an expressive way to describe states far removed from rational evaluation. Meanwhile, in cultural and philosophical debates, this image gains new depth by serving as a symbol of the loss of individuality and complete submission to external will. Analyzing examples where people, during certain practices, outwardly resembled beings lacking in willpower, researchers emphasize that the discussion is not about real threats but rather a metaphorical portrayal of the social and psychological transformations of our modern era. Consequently, while materialists do not see a rational basis for fearing zombies, cultural discourse continues to employ this emotionally powerful symbol as a tool for critically analyzing the loss of personal autonomy and the reflection of profound social processes.

Do materialists have any reason to fear zombies, and what significance do modern philosophical and cultural discussions attach to the phenomenon?

Modern materialism, which relies on empirical reality, finds no grounds to fear zombies as a specific phenomenon. A quotation from file link clearly states:
"How should one regard this? … The use of this term carries strong emotional connotations, yet it holds no scientific significance in the field we are considering."
This indicates that the concept of the “zombie” is used more as an emotionally charged metaphor than as an object of serious empirical investigation. In other words, materialists, given their approach, do not see in it a foundation for fear since this category lacks scientific concreteness.

Conversely, modern philosophical and cultural discussions refer to the image of the zombie as a symbol of the loss of individuality and submission to external control. An example is provided by an observation detailed in file link :
"According to eyewitness accounts, during practical sessions using the psychotechniques of their teacher’s method, followers of Gurdjieff resembled zombies; the expressions on their faces were utterly meaningless."
Here, zombies are not perceived as real entities but as a metaphor for states characterized by extreme manifestations of willlessness—a facet discussed within cultural contexts as reflective of deep social and psychological processes.

Thus, while materialists see no rational reason to fear zombies, the concept remains powerful in the realm of metaphors and symbolic representations. Modern philosophical and cultural discussions that employ this image emphasize its emotional potency and its role in depicting the loss of personal autonomy, a matter that holds considerably more weight for cultural analysis than for objective scientific research.

Supporting citation(s):
"How should one regard this? … The use of this term carries strong emotional connotations, yet it holds no scientific significance in the field we are considering." (source: link )
"According to eyewitness accounts, during practical sessions using the psychotechniques of their teacher’s method, followers of Gurdjieff resembled zombies; the expressions on their faces were utterly meaningless." (source: link )