Animal sentience
Animal Ethics, 2017
Abstract
Animal sentience involves consciousness and matters in the consideration of which beings should receive moral consideration. Criteria for recognizing sentience include behaviors and cognitive abilities similar to those of humans. Arguments against animal sentience are weak. The nervous system’s structure and complexity are significant factors in determining sentience, suggesting that centralized nervous systems are necessary for sentience. Invertebrates, comprising 99% of all species, have diverse nervous system structures, making it challenging to evaluate sentience in them. Indicators of animal suffering aid in recognizing situations where animals experience it. – AI-generated abstract.
