Abstract
Simple SummarySentience is a complex and contentious concept, especially when attributing the label to non-human animals. Non-avian reptiles are often overlooked in many scientific, ethical and layperson discussions of sentience, awareness and consciousness in animals. Most modern declarations of sentience include all vertebrate animals, and some invertebrates, which automatically includes reptiles and fish. However, specific declarations often ignore the “lower” classes of non-human animals. This paper specifically focuses reviewing the concepts and definitions of consciousness, awareness and sentience; and then reviews research which provides solid evidence for sentience in non-avian reptiles. It is concluded that non-avian reptiles indeed possess all of the necessary capacities to be classified as sentient beings.The concept of sentience, how it is characterised and which non-human animals possess it have long been of contention in academic and intellectual debates. Many have argued that there is no way to empirically know that animals have conscious experiences. Yet others argue that consciousness, awareness and sentience in non-human animals can be quite obvious, and can indeed be measured empirically. Most modern declarations of animal sentience from official organisations and governments now include all vertebrate animals as sentient beings, including reptiles and fish. Some declarations also include some invertebrate species. This conceptual, ethical and scientific review first focuses on conceptual components and definitions of consciousness, awareness and sentience. It then specifically discusses how cognitive, neurobiological, ethological and comparative psychological research in non-avian reptiles over the last century has evidenced many capacities that historically were denied to this class of animals. Non-avian reptiles do indeed possess all of the necessary capacities to be declared as sentient beings, at least in the small proportion of reptile species that have actually been empirically investigated so far. It is suggested that much innovative future research will continue to uncover evidence of capabilities linked to sentience within a wide range of species, including non-avian reptiles, fish and invertebrates.
Highlights
The concept of sentience, how it is characterised and which non-human animals possess it have long been contentious topics for ethologists, biologists, cognitive psychologists, neuroscientists and philosophers alike
Conflating animal sentience with anthropomorphism, many scientists that adhere to traditional principles would often argue that there is no way for us to know that non-human animals are anything more than mere automata
Three key issues have been proposed as the core of any animal sentience debate: “(i) whether they are aware of what is happening around them; (ii) whether they are capable of cognitive processing; and (iii) whether they can have feelings such as pain” [5]
Summary
The concept of sentience, how it is characterised and which non-human animals possess it have long been contentious topics for ethologists, biologists, cognitive psychologists, neuroscientists and philosophers alike. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), an “Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Bill” was passed in 2019, changing multiple acts and codes, prominently featuring explicit changes to reflect that: “(a) Animals are sentient beings that are able to subjectively feel and perceive the world around them; and (b) animals have intrinsic value and deserve to be treated with compassion and have a quality of life that reflects their intrinsic value” [14] This was the first Australian jurisdiction to explicitly add a non-human animal sentience statement to legislation. This paper discusses multiple definitions of and justifications for consciousness, awareness and sentience in a range of non-human animals, and focuses on the under-acknowledged reptilian vertebrates It shall build upon the recent reptile sentience review published by Lambert et al [8], by interrogating much of the relevant behavioural, cognitive, biological, physiological and psychological research in reptile species that may provide evidence for commonly prescribed elements of sentience
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
