What does it really mean for an animal to be sentient? How do scientists study animal emotions, and what are the ethical implications when we recognize that animals can think, feel, and suffer?
In this episode, we sit down with Dave Neale, Director of Sentience at Animals Asia to explore the science and ethics of animal sentience — and what this understanding means for animal welfare, animal rights, and our everyday choices.
We discuss:
How scientists define and measure sentience in animals
Which species are now recognized as sentient — from mammals and birds to fish, octopuses, and even insects
How recognizing animal emotions is changing laws, farming, research, and entertainment
Cultural and spiritual perspectives on sentience across Western, Eastern, and Indigenous societies
What the future of animal protection could look like as awareness continues to grow
If you’ve ever wondered whether animals feel pain like we do — or what we owe them if they do — this conversation will challenge and inspire you to rethink our shared place on this planet.
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