Science recognizes a wider range of animal consciousness

In recent years, a series of intriguing discoveries have upended long-held assumptions about the inner lives of animals.

In recent years, a series of intriguing discoveries have upended long-held assumptions about the inner lives of animals. Bees engaging in seemingly playful behavior, cleaner wrasses recognizing themselves in mirrors, and octopuses showing an aversion to places associated with past pain – these findings suggest a breadth of consciousness in several previously overlooked species .

Against this backdrop, nearly forty leading researchers in the field of animal cognition have joined forces to release “The New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness,” unveiled at a conference hosted by New York University. This statement marks an important shift in perspective, recognizing the mounting evidence for conscious experiences in a wide range of creatures and calling for a reevaluation of the way we interact with and care for them.

The statement states that birds and mammals undoubtedly possess conscious experiences, with a high probability that this extends to all vertebrates, including fish, reptiles and amphibians. Furthermore, it suggests that many invertebrates, such as insects, decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs, also harbor the potential for consciousness.

Professor Jonathan Birch of the London School of Economics, a signatory of the statement, emphasizes the transformative nature of this shift in scientific discourse. He notes a growing willingness within the scientific community to explore the possibility of conscious experience in a wide range of animals, including those traditionally dismissed as lacking that capacity.

The historical background against which this statement emerges reveals a departure from the scientific orthodoxy of the past. Descartes’ notion of animals as mere ‘material automata’, devoid of consciousness or subjective experience, dominated early modern thought. Even into the twentieth century, behavioral psychologists advocated a strictly behaviorist approach to studying animals, which ignored research into their emotional lives.

However, from the 1960s onwards a gradual reevaluation began, leading to a wave of research into animal cognition. Recent developments in testing methodologies have facilitated this exploration and produced surprising results. For example, experiments with the mirror-mark test have shown unexpected levels of self-awareness in cleaner fish, challenging conventional assumptions about their cognitive abilities.

Similarly, studies of zebrafish and squid have revealed expressions of curiosity and memory, respectively, further expanding the scope of research into animal consciousness. Such findings underscore the need for a broader perspective that includes a wide range of species.

The implications of this evolving understanding extend beyond the realm of academia, potentially reshaping legal frameworks related to animal welfare. Although U.S. federal law does not currently recognize animals as sentient beings, several states have taken proactive steps in this direction.

Oregon’s recognition of animals’ ability to cause pain and suffering has paved the way for progressive legislation, while states like Washington and California are considering bans on octopus farming in light of emerging evidence of their sentience.

Internationally, British law recently extended sentient status to octopuses, crabs and lobsters, sparking debate about the ethical treatment of these animals, especially in contexts such as commercial fishing and culinary practices.

As society grapples with the implications of these findings, questions surrounding the humane treatment of animals come to the fore. Practices such as boiling lobsters alive, once considered routine, are now coming under increasing scrutiny in light of growing awareness about animal sentience.

In essence, the declaration marks an important milestone in our understanding of the rich inner lives of animals, challenging deeply held beliefs and sparking conversations about how we interact with and care for the diverse creatures that share our planet.