Description
Book SynopsisSentience – the ability to feel, perceive and experience – is central to the animal welfare debate as it raises the question of whether animals experience suffering in life and death. This book explores and answers these questions in an objective way, based on the latest research and empirical evidence. Beginning with an introduction to sentience, the book investigates why we are so interested in sentience, when, as a species, humans became sentient and how it has changed over time. The book defines aspects of sentience such as consciousness, memory and emotions, and discusses brain complexity in detail. Looking at sentience from a developmental perspective, it analyses when in an individual’s growth sentience can be said to appear and uses evidence from a range of studies investigating embryos, foetuses and young animals to form an enlightening overview of the subject. With a full chapter covering ethical decisions such as animal protection and experimentation, this book is not only an invaluable resource for researchers and students of animal welfare and biology, but also an engaging and informative read for veterinarians and the general public.
Table of ContentsI: Preface 1: The Qualities That Make Up Sentience 2: Ethics, Morality and Attitudes 3: Animal Welfare Science: History and Concepts 4: Brain Complexity and Cognitive Ability 5: Feelings and Emotions 6: Awareness and Consciousness 7: Motivation and Needs 8: Welfare Assessment 9: Sentience During Development, Brain Damage and Old Age 10: Ethical Decisions About Humans and Non-humans 11: Sustainability, Welfare Attitudes and Education
