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The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness (2012)

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Applied Non-human animal consciousness

By Philip Low (convener)

Summary

"Convergent evidence indicates that non-human animals have the neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological substrates of conscious states." Named mammals, birds, and octopuses. Rejected the view that consciousness is uniquely human.

Why It Matters

First formal scientific consensus document on animal consciousness. Foundation for sentience legislation in UK, EU.

Notes

This entry is a seed import from the Phase 1 Knowledge Inventory. It has not yet been manually reviewed.