80,000 Hours Podcast

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

80 snips
Aug 15, 2024
In this engaging conversation, Jonathan Birch, a Philosophy professor at the London School of Economics and author of 'The Edge of Sentience,' dives into the complexities of sentience across various beings, from humans with consciousness disorders to AI. He discusses the dangers of overconfidence in assessing sentience, emphasizing historical medical practices that overlooked suffering. Birch also explores ethical implications in policy-making and the evolving understanding of sentience in species like invertebrates and neural organoids, urging a careful, evidence-based approach.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Kate Bainbridge's Experience

  • Kate Bainbridge was treated as if she felt nothing while in a vegetative state.
  • After recovering, she testified to her harrowing experience of pain and lack of information.
ANECDOTE

fMRI Evidence of Covert Consciousness

  • Adrian Owen's team used fMRI scanners on vegetative patients, asking them yes/no questions.
  • Some patients showed fMRI signatures matching healthy subjects, giving clear answers.
ANECDOTE

Newborn Pain

  • In the 1980s, newborns routinely underwent surgery without anesthesia.
  • Public campaigns and scientific studies revealing stress responses led to change.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app