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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Expanding the role of the future zoo: Wellbeing should become the fifth aim for modern zoos

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Oct. 20, 2022

Zoos and aquariums have an enormous global reach hence ability to craft meaningful conservation action for threatened species, implement educational strategies encourage human engagement, development behavior change, conduct scientific research enhance the husbandry, roles impacts of living collection. The recreational role zoo is also vast- people enjoy visiting this often a shared experience amongst family friends. Evaluating how influences “captive audience” extending its include compassionate approach animals can further mission, value, relevance their work. modern zoo’s current aims—Conservation, Education, Research Recreation—provide useful foundations activities that zoos at local national level. However, improve sustainability actions outcomes, we feel Wellbeing should become fifth aim future- both from animal perspective (ensuring populations are managed according prevailing behavioral needs) (enhancing access nature, promoting planetary friendly changes ways living, advancing wellbeing workforce). This paper provides discussion review already substantial part what work on as well posing idea altering Recreation one Engagement, which potentially more measurable therefore allow researchers managers options collection evidence aims. Conservation, provide complete picture (both in situ ex ), visitors workforce, society widely.

Language: Английский

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Animal sentience research: Synthesis and proposals

Animal Sentience, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 7(32)

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Most commentaries on our target article broadly support approach to evaluating evidence of animal sentience. In this Response, we clarify the framework's purpose and address criticisms criteria. A recurring theme is that a framework synthesise current sentience not same as an agenda for future directions in research. Although are valuable, aims evaluate existing inform welfare legislation.

Language: Английский

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All is Not Equal: Public Perception of Cognitive abilities, Suffering and Emotional Attachment in Different Pet Species

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 280, P. 106434 - 106434

Published: Oct. 30, 2024

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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Near and Dear? If animal welfare concepts do not apply to species at a great phylogenetic distance from humans, what concepts might serve as alternatives?

Animal Welfare, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

A wide range of animal taxa, including vertebrates and invertebrates, are controlled or kept by humans. They may be used as pets, for recreation, sport hobbies, working animals, producers animal-derived (food) products biomedical models in research. There is a need clear guidance on the treatment regardless their phylogenetic distance from Current welfare concepts, which emphasise sentience ability animals to experience negative positive mental states, limited scope small proportion kingdom, vast majority species (currently) thought lack sentience. We discuss four options addressing question basic concept(s) could derive guidelines species, sentient non-sentient: (1) alternative concepts tailored specific groups species; (2) 'welfare' not presupposing sentience; (3) precautionary principle; (4) concept integrity. Since questions regarding appropriate with large humans, have an ethical/moral dimension, we also address who counts morally how much, should treated given moral status. suggest that integrity, possibly complemented extended habitat/ecosystem suitable application all species. However, current serve primary basis treat capable experiencing emotions.

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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Frontiers of Proportionality

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 285 - 296

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract Taking invertebrate welfare seriously involves proposing and debating steps that may be proportionate (permissible-in-principle, adequate, non-excessive, consistent) in relation to specific risks. The growing interest invertebrates as potentially sustainable protein sources underlines the need for these debates. It would plausibly set up a licensing scheme requires companies farming sentience candidates investigation priorities fund creation (by independent experts) of codes good practice, where none yet exists. There is one important exception, namely octopus farming. very unlikely could ever meet reasonable expectations regarding animal welfare, so it ban outright. Our current state knowledge makes difficult confident slaughter humane or stunning effective. easier about what inhumane. We should not use live boiling without prior decapods insects, since this method needlessly risks extending intensifying suffering associated with dying.

Language: Английский

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Stepping Back

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 332 - 334

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract This chapter offers brief concluding remarks, calling on society to prepare for the (perhaps imminent) arrival of artificial sentience candidates by engaging more closely with that already surround us in animal kingdom.

Language: Английский

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