Understanding Sentience: A Spectrum of Experience

This chapter differentiates between sentience and consciousness, framing sentience as the base layer of human experience centered on feelings. It explores the ethical implications of recognizing sentience in various species, emphasizing the need for animal welfare laws that consider a spectrum of sentient beings. Through discussions on research about bees and cephalopods, it challenges traditional views on intelligence and emotional capacities among animals, underscoring the complexities of defining sentience.