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

---

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

---

Capturing wild animal welfare: a physiological perspective

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 99(1), P. 1 - 22

Published: Aug. 27, 2023

ABSTRACT Affective states, such as emotions, are presumably widespread across the animal kingdom because of adaptive advantages they supposed to confer. However, study affective states animals has thus far been largely restricted enhancing welfare managed by humans in non‐natural contexts. Given diversity wild and variable conditions can experience, extending studies on natural that most experience will allow us broaden deepen our general understanding welfare. Yet, this same makes examining highly challenging. There is therefore a need for unifying theoretical frameworks methodological approaches guide researchers keen engage promising research area. The aim article help advance important area highlighting central relationship between physiology rectify its apparent oversight, revealed current scientific literature animals. Moreover, emphasises including physiological markers assess (e.g. objectivity, comparability, condition range, temporality), well their concomitant limitations only access peripheral with complex relationships states). Best‐practice recommendations replication multifactorial approaches) also provided be used effectively appropriately when assessing habitat. This review seeks provide foundation new distinct vast applied potential: physiology.

Language: Английский

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

The Mind-Body Problem

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 45 - 76

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract Reasonable disagreement about sentience requires responsiveness to evidence and argument. It excludes baseless recommendations, dogmatic adherence refuted theories, morally abhorrent (e.g. sadistic) positions. However, the uncertainty in this area is such that many very different positions can be held by reasonable people. This chapter examines sources of have their origins philosophy mind. Major metaphysical pictures including materialism, epiphenomenalism, interactionism, Russellian monism, biopsychism, ‘integrated information theory’ are introduced major strengths weaknesses considered. The then turns other axes disagreement. One concerns importance agency embodiment, real or virtual. Another scale functional organization matters. A third whether edge sharp blurred.

Language: Английский

---

Personal Acknowledgements

Published: July 22, 2024

Language: Английский

---