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Why fish pain cannot and should not be ruled out

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 03:10 authored by Anil SethAnil Seth
Do fish consciously feel pain? Addressing this question, Key (2016) asks whether the neural mechanisms underlying conscious pain reports in humans can be identified in fish. This strategy fails in three ways. First, non-mammalian consciousness — if it exists — may depend on different mechanisms. Second, accumulating neurophysiological and behavioural evidence, evolutionary considerations, and emerging Bayesian brain theories suggest that if fish can feel at all, they can feel pain. Finally, the qualitative nature of pain and suffering obliges us, via the precautionary principle, to accommodate the possibility of its existence where doubt remains.brain theories suggest that if fish can feel at all, they can feel pain. Finally, the qualitative nature of pain and suffering obliges us, via the precautionary principle,to accommodate the possibility of its existence where doubt remains.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Animal Sentience

ISSN

2377-7478

Publisher

Humane Society of the United States

Issue

020

Volume

2016

Department affiliated with

  • Informatics Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-10-03

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-10-03

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