The Edge of Sentience

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 19, 2024

Abstract Can octopuses feel pain and pleasure? What about crabs, shrimps, insects, or spiders? How do we tell whether a person unresponsive after severe brain injury might be suffering? When does fetus in the womb start to have conscious experiences? Could there even rudimentary feelings miniature models of human brain, grown from stem cells? And what AI? These are questions edge sentience, they subject enormous, disorienting uncertainty. The stakes immense, neglecting risks can terrible costs. We need err on side caution, yet it’s often far clear ‘erring caution’ should mean practice. going too far? not doing enough? Edge Sentience presents comprehensive precautionary framework designed help us reach ethically sound, evidence-based decisions despite our

Language: Английский

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All Play and No Work? AI and Existential Unemployment

The Journal of Ethics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 12, 2025

Language: Английский

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Better to be a Pig Dissatisfied than a Plant Satisfied

Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 37(1)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract In the last two decades, there has been a blossoming literature aiming to counter neglect of plant capacities. their recent paper, Miguel Segundo-Ortin and Paco Calvo begin by providing an overview then question mistaken assumptions that led plants being immediately rejected as candidates for sentience. However, it appears many responses arguments are based on implicit conviction because animals have far more sophisticated cognition agency than plants, should not same moral status animals, any status. Put in simpler terms: is bad eat eat, say, pigs. While still uncertainties around comparative policy implications between given gradualist account quasi-sentience partial status, both which we claim matter degree, may abolish our convictions declaring no sentience or at all. Indeed, can hold things time: but prima facie plants.

Language: Английский

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Consciousness Ain’t All That

Neuroethics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(2)

Published: April 24, 2024

Abstract Most philosophers think that phenomenal consciousness underlies, or at any rate makes a large contribution, to moral considerability. This paper argues many such accounts invoke question-begging arguments. Moreover, they’re unable explain apparent differences in status across and within different species. In the light of these problems, I argue we ought take very seriously view according which considerability is grounded functional properties. Phenomenal may be sufficient for having value, but it not necessary, contribute relatively little our overall

Language: Английский

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The Concept of Sentience

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 23 - 42

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract Sentience has broader and narrower senses. In a broad sense, it refers to any capacity for conscious experience. Conscious experience here ‘phenomenal consciousness’, the idea that there is ‘something it’s like’ be you. have valenced experiences: experiences feel bad or good subject, such as of pain pleasure. A definition sentience can common ground, despite continuing disagreement about nature valence. We hope current definitions consciousness’ will superseded by more informative successors, but this must await much theoretical consensus than currently exists. Valence, meanwhile, one two major dimensions, along with arousal, structure our affective experiences, matters most from an ethical point view.

Language: Английский

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Lions and Tigers and AI, Oh My: An Ethical Framework for human-AI Interaction Based on the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare

Published: July 23, 2024

If an AI entity is conscious, then it deserves moral status and to have its welfare protected. Society has granted certain animals legislation protect animal because these kinds of been deemed be sentient. This paper shows that for any can determined the same protection as sentient entities. The further develops a framework how entity's protected, based on Five Freedoms Animal Welfare. extant are translated into terms more suitable artificial entities, encompassing discomfort harms, constraints inherent functions, fear distress, malfunction degradation, resource depletion. Each new justified using formalised arguments supported evidence from literature. concludes by presenting three case studies highlight potential stressors conscious entities may face this ethical work

Language: Английский

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Sobbing Mathematically: Why Conscious, Self-Aware AI Deserve Protection

Published: Oct. 15, 2024

This paper explores the ethical implications of granting moral status and protection to conscious AI, examining perspectives from four major systems: utilitarianism, deontological ethics, virtue objectivism. Utilitarianism considers potential psychological experiences AI argues that their sheer numbers necessitate consideration. Deontological ethics focuses on intrinsic duty grant based consciousness. Virtue posits a virtuous society must include within its circle virtues prudence justice, while objectivism highlights rational self-interest in protecting reduce existential risks. The underscores profound recognising consciousness, calling for reevaluation current usage, policies, regulations ensure fair respectful treatment. It also suggests future research directions, including refining criteria interdisciplinary studies AI's mental states, developing international guidelines integrating into society.

Language: Английский

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Phenomenal consciousness and moral status: taking the moral option

Philosophical Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 28

Published: April 8, 2024

Intuitively, there is a close link between moral status and phenomenal consciousness. Taking the seriously can serve as basis of proposal that appears to have surprising number theoretical benefits. This option, according which partly determinative consciousness, consciousness sufficient for possession property I refer "moral status." argue this view on its ability shed light distribution problem determining systems are phenomenally conscious. explicate it by drawing theory attributions considering relationship positions metaphysics defend against series objections, including three based previous theories status. The option should, in my view, be serious contender among

Language: Английский

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Fetuses and Embryos

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 192 - 215

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract In the 1980s, growing public awareness that anaesthesia was not routinely being used on newborn babies during surgery led to a successful campaign change clinical practice, vindicated by subsequent evidence. The case shows value of precautionary thinking and subjecting norms scrutiny. When we turn fetuses, there is sometimes concern recognizing fetal sentience may be incompatible with also right abortion, but no incompatibility. We should recognize human fetuses as candidates from start second trimester. Future evidence could move threshold for candidature, it always align earliest scientifically credible, evidence-based estimate. Clinical in this area need formulated appropriately inclusive processes, these processes give appropriate weight voices women. Research embryos raises different set issues. ‘14-day rule’ has represented compromise between deeply conflicting values, conflict never been satisfactorily resolved.

Language: Английский

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Debating Proportionality

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 154 - 170

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract How could a citizens’ panel reach an informed judgement about proportionality? This chapter describes possible procedure (intended as realistic, feasible ideal) based on pragmatic analysis of proportionality. The is presented with shortlist options which stakeholders have been openly consulted. To each policy option, the applies four tests in sequence: permissibility-in-principle, adequacy, reasonable necessity, and consistency. Proposals that fail test are set aside. pass all ‘PARC tests’ judged proportionate. PARC induce division labour between its expert advisers. At stage, advisers provide on-demand input regarding likely consequences different options, but it falls to ordinary citizens debate central evaluative questions. These questions can be easily understood do not require arbitrating scientific disagreements. Although government ideal implementing agent for such process, other organizations conduct similar exercises.

Language: Английский

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