Citation
Adamo, Shelley (2016) Subjective experience in insects: Definitions and other difficulties. Animal Sentience 9(15)
Commentary Type
Invited Commentary
Thread
Colin Klein and Andrew B. Barron, Insects have the capacity for subjective experience
Abstract
Whether insects have the potential for subjective experiences depends on the definition of subjective experience. The definition used by Klein & Barron (2016) is an unusually liberal one and could be used to argue that some modern robots have subjective experiences. From an evolutionary perspective, the additional neurons needed to produce subjective experiences will be proportionately more expensive for insects than for mammals because of the small size of the insect brain. This greater cost could weaken selection for such traits. Minimally, it may be premature to assume that small neuronal number is unimportant in determining the capacity for consciousness.
DOI
10.51291/2377-7478.1153
Included in
Cognition and Perception Commons, Cognitive Neuroscience Commons, Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons, Evolution Commons, Philosophy of Mind Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, Zoology Commons