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#196 – Jonathan Birch on the edge cases of sentience and why they matter

80,000 Hours Podcast

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Understanding Sentience and Moral Consideration

This chapter explores the concept of sentience as a critical factor in granting moral status, emphasizing the importance of suffering and pleasure over intelligence. It discusses the complexities surrounding sentience, including the uncertainties in understanding consciousness and the implications for non-human treatment. The conversation advocates for evidence-based policy frameworks and a balanced approach to ethical decision-making amid theoretical ambiguities.

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