UTOPISM. *** In the long run, nothing else is realistic. *** Welcome to the English language blog of Morten Tønnessen, Professor of philosophy at University of Stavanger's Department of Social Studies.
On Tuesday this week (October 27th) I was interviewed by the Norwegian TV channel TVL, on why we treat different animals differently (such as eating some but not others). The interview, which was conducted (online) by journalists Vemund Sødal and Hanna Pettersen and lasted 7-8 minutes, aired the same evening, in the programme TVL magasinet (subscription required).
The Norwegian daily newspaper Nationen has a 2-page news story about the Norwegian animal ethics conference 2024 (Dyreetikkonferansen 2024) which took place last week with animal consciousness as theme. The news story features an image and quotes from my presentation. In the image caption I am quoted as saying that our understanding of other beings is always somewhat limited.
Today I have taken part in Dyreetikkonferansen 2024 (The Norwegian Animal Ethics Conference 2024), which took place at Litteraturhuset in Oslo and had the theme «Er du bevisst dyrs bevissthet?» (Are you conscious of animals´ consciousness?). Before lunch, I gave the talk «Hvordan er det å være et dyr?» (What is it like to be an animal?), with some 100 people attending in person and about 30 people online.
After lunch I took part in a panel debate on the conference theme and what implications it has in practice, along with Hilde Buer (sheep farmer and author), Ragnhild Aven Svalheim (NOFIMA), Eline Åsbjer (SLU) and Themis Altintzoglou (NOFIMA). Cecilie Mejdell was chair. Maybe 50 people attended in person at this point, and maybe 30 online.
The New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness, which I have signed, although after it was launched April 19th (I was not among the initial signatories), has been getting extensive media coverage in major news outlets, most of it before my signature was added to the list of signatories on April 23rd. This includes:
Scientists push new paradigm of animal consciousness, saying even insects may be sentient (NBC News, April 19th)
It’s ‘irresponsible’ to ignore widespread consciousness across animal world, dozens of scientists argue (The Hill, April 19th)
Consciousness a ‘realistic possibility’ in birds, fish, squid and bees, scholars say (The Globe and Mail, April 22nd)
Scientists believe insects may have feelings (BBC, April 22nd)
Some scientists say insects are conscious – it doesn't settle anything (New Scientist, April 23rd - paywall)
See also:
"New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness" signed (April 23)
I have signed the New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness, which was launched April 19th 2024 at New York University. See also an informative background text. PS: I was not among the initial signatories.
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The New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness
Which animals have the capacity for conscious experience? While much uncertainty remains, some points of wide agreement have emerged.
First, there is strong scientific support for attributions of conscious experience to other mammals and to birds.
Second, the empirical evidence indicates at least a realistic possibility of conscious experience in all vertebrates (including reptiles, amphibians, and fishes) and many invertebrates (including, at minimum, cephalopod mollusks, decapod crustaceans, and insects).
Third, when there is a realistic possibility of conscious experience in an animal, it is irresponsible to ignore that possibility in decisions affecting that animal. We should consider welfare risks and use the evidence to inform our responses to these risks.
