How should we treat beings that might be sentient?

Quick Summary:

A book argues that we've not thought enough about things that might think.

In fact, one species of octopus, Octopus vulgaris, has been protected by the UK’s Animal Scientific Procedures Act (ASPA) since 1986, which illustrates how long we have been aware of the possibility that invertebrates might be capable of experiencing valenced states of awareness, such as contentment, fear, pleasure, and pain.

At the very least, Birch explains, insects (as well as all vertebrates and a selection of invertebrates) are sentience candidates: animals that may be conscious and, until proven otherwise, should be regarded as such.

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Article Details

Author / Journalist: Lindsey Laughlin

Category: Technology

Markets: United StatesMali

Topics: Science Biology Neurobiology Consciousness Ethics Sentience

Source Website Secure: Yes (HTTPS)

News Sentiment: Negative

Fact Checked: Legitimate

Article Type: News Report

Published On: 2024-11-30 @ 12:07:52 (4 days ago)

News Timezone: GMT -5:00

News Source URL: arstechnica.com

Language: English

Article Length: 244 words

Reading Time: 2 minutes read

Sentences: 70 lines

Sentence Length: 4 words per sentence (average)

Platforms: Desktop Web, Mobile Web, iOS App, Android App

Copyright Owner: © Ars Technica

News ID: 24095236

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About Ars Technica

Main Topics: Technology

Official Website: arstechnica.com

Update Frequency: 7 posts per day

Year Established: 1998

Headquarters: United States

News Last Updated: 10 hours ago

Coverage Areas: United States

Ownership: Independent Company

Publication Timezone: GMT -5:00

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Publisher ID: #32

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