Citation

Author Website

https://philosophy.columbian.gwu.edu/david-degrazia

Thread

Irina Mikhalevich and Russell Powell, Minds without spines: Evolutionarily inclusive animal ethics

Abstract

Mikhalevich & Powell (M&P) set up the basic criteria for according moral status equitably, including the capacity for affect. They argue persuasively against assuming that all invertebrates are insentient and hence ineligible for moral consideration. In addition to the relatively clear case of cephalopods, various arthropods may prove to be sentient. We should be aware of various sources of prejudice that M&P discuss and not assume that it would be absurd to attribute sentience and moral status to certain invertebrates.

Author Biography

David DeGrazia is Elton Professor of Philosophy at George Washington University and Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Bioethics at the National Institutes of Health. His publications include eight books. Website

DOI

10.51291/2377-7478.1598