Does consciousness exist on a continuum, or is there a clear dividing line? If there is a state of partial consciousness or sentience, who much is enough for a species to be considered worthy of moral consideration?
Photo by
Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash
Most of us are familiar with clams, oysters, and snails. If we are veg*n, we may decline to eat them, but we probably don’t give much thought to their life experience. Indeed, the concept of life experience for a clam or snail might seem laughable.
However, along with other mollusks such as scallops and mussels,
they are eaten in large numbers by humans. Sometimes they are eaten
raw, and other times they are steamed alive in their shells. Snails
are starved and then boiled alive. In addition, researchers use them
in toxicology testing, while cosmetic and personal care companies
“milk” snails for their mucus, which kills the snail through
dehydration.
Obviously, to do these things to sentient creatures is
reprehensible. But whether bivalves and snails are sentient is not
clear scientifically. Part of the problem is that science still
doesn’t define “sentience” or “consciousness”. How does it arise?
What are the minimum criteria?
Does consciousness exist on a continuum, or is there a clear
dividing line? If there is a state of partial consciousness or
sentience, who much is enough for a species to be considered worthy
of moral consideration?
....
Please read the ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE: Can A Snail Suffer?